Sporting greats Glenn McGrath, Steve Waugh AM, Brett Kirk and
Paul Roos have been appointed as 2012 Ambassadors to the third biennial $100,000
Basil Sellers Art Prize and exhibition at the Ian Potter Museum of Art, University
of Melbourne. They join existing Ambassador, AFL journalist Samantha Lane.
As one of Australia’s
richest art prizes, the Basil Sellers Art Prize breaks with tradition,
developing a substantial prize that concentrates entirely on sport. Not the
Archibald in a footy jumper, the prize is a fresh take on the theme,
encouraging artists to boldly ask questions, rattle our preconceptions and
explore sporting culture—perhaps luring art and sports supporters from their
strongly held positions on opposite sides of the ring.
Acting Director of the Potter, Mr Christopher Menz, said he is
delighted that sportspeople of such renown are helping promote the ideals of
the Basil Sellers Art Prize.
"Sport and art are significant aspects of Australian society
and culture, yet too often they are regarded as mutually exclusive.
"The interaction between our passions for art and sport that is encouraged by the Prize will help challenge existing beliefs and preconceptions. The involvement of such well-loved sportspeople as Ambassadors in this year’s Prize can do much to refocus public attention on the roles of sport and art in the Australian psyche," Mr Menz said.
The shortlisted artists in the 2012 prize are: Brook Andrew, Richard Bell, Lauren Brincat, Jon Campbell, Pat Macan, Louise Hearman, Greg Creek, Eugene Carchesio, Simon Perry, Kerrie Poliness, Patrick Pound, Christian Thompson, Sangeeta Sandrasegar, Gabriella Mangana and Silvana Mangana.
The judging panel comprises Nick Farr-Jones, former Wallabies captain, Erica Green, inaugural Director of the Anne and Gordon Samstag Museum of Art, Lisa Havilah, CEO of CarriageWorks, Sydney and Dr Chris McAuliffe, Director, the Ian Potter Museum of Art, and Basil Sellers AM, businessman and philanthropist.
The Prize awards $100,000 for the winning artwork. Visitors to the exhibition will vote for the $5,000 People’s Choice Award. One of the shortlisted artists in the exhibition will be selected as the 2013 Basil Sellers Creative Fellowship, a $50,000 artist-in-residency program at the National Sports Museum, MCG.
The exhibition is on at the Ian Potter Museum of Art (The University of Melbourne, Swanston Street) from now until November 4 2012. Entry is free and opening hours are Tuesday to Friday 10am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 12 to 5pm.
More info: www.sellersartprize.com.au
Tarryn Gill and Pilar Mata Dupont, Gymnasium 2010. Single-channel HD
video. B & W, sound, 3:52 minutes. Courtesy the artists and Goddard
de Fiddes Gallery, Perth.