Forty finalists have been named in the Sunshine Coast Art Prize, with the exceptional works by established and emerging artists from across the country selected from a high calibre field of 410 entries. The finalists will be showcased in the Sunshine Coast Art Prize exhibition at Caloundra Regional Gallery from 24 July to 15 September.

Winners will be announced at the official exhibition opening on Thursday 29 August 29. The major prize winner will receive $25,000 cash, sponsored by Sunshine Coast Council, and the winning artwork will join past Sunshine Coast Art Prize winning works in the Sunshine Coast Art Collection.

Arts Portfolio Councillor Rick Baberowski said the art prize attracted some of Australia’s best contemporary and emerging artists. “The Sunshine Coast Art Prize is now one of the nation’s leading regional art awards and the growing acclaim has attracted entries from an exciting range of first-time as well as contemporary artists with strong national and international profiles,” Cr Baberowski said. “I think it’s arguable that this year’s deep spread of entries plot a definite shift to artworks with stronger narratives and bolder expressions of mood, colour and pattern. In my view, the 2019 finalist exhibition is one to see, for me it has artwork that is more demanding of its audience and reflects a return to greater confidence in our artists to interpret and comment on the times we live in. In essence, it’s a strong body of work that is an apt reflection of contemporary 2D arts practice in Australia.”

Selected works include oil and acrylic painting, print, textile, drawing and photography. Before the exhibition opens, the 40 finalist artworks can be viewed online by visiting the gallery website. The Sunshine Coast Art Prize 2019 will be judged by museum and gallery curator, and VAULT Australasian Art & Culture magazine editor, Alison Kubler.

Owned and operated by Sunshine Coast Council, Caloundra Regional Gallery is located at 22 Omrah Avenue and is open Tuesday to Friday 10am to 4pm and Saturday and Sunday 10am to 2pm.

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