Cookie Consent by Free Privacy Policy website 2023 York Botanic Art Prize - Call for entries now open
may 15, 2023 - York Botanic Art Prize

2023 York Botanic Art Prize - Call for entries now open

Expressions of interest are now invited for the 2023 #yorkbotanicartprize from artists working across all mediums, including, and not limited to, painting, mixed media, works on paper, digital, video, photography, sculpture, jewellery and textiles. Submissions opened on 13 May 2023 and close on 17 July 2023.

Established in 2020, the #yorkbotanicartprize is a much anticipated biennial event in the Australian art #prize calendar. Held in the historic Wheatbelt town of York, in the Ballardong region of Western #Australia it has a #prize pool of $12,000.

Artists must respond specifically to the theme of native Western Australian flora and reference specific WA species; and work in any medium, expanding the field of what botanic art can be. For the first time entries will be accepted from international artists in addition to entries from artists Australia-wide. Artists whose work challenges traditional notions and conventions of botanical art, in a sense'botanical art in the expanded field', are encouraged to enter.

Director Jenny Garroun said that the #prize was created to showcase artistic engagement with Western Australia’s incredible native flora, and to draw attention to the issues and challenges that face its protection and conservation. “Through the #prize we hope to connect art with science, to drive change, conserve our natural environment and preserve biodiversity for the long term future of our planet, and in that process support new and important creative works,” she said.

More than 9000 people visited the exhibitions of the finalists held in 2020 and 2021.In 2021 the #yorkbotanicartprize had 49 finalists were selected from 160+ entries. The winner was Mark Mohell for his video work Eupnea, 2021, digital video 00:02:00, species Eucalyptus Teraptera.

Of winning the #prize Mark said, “A friend gave me the brochure for the inaugural art #prize and since then I’ve submitted works to the York #prize. In much of my recent work, I have focussed on the native plants of the Canberra region, so the #prize aligned perfectly with my current area of focus. When I read about the #prize it prompted me to looking at other regions and how plants growing there are adapting to the areas in which they grow. This study has broadened the reach of my practice to see how plants adapt to their environment and the diversity around them, from a small plant to large ones.

“Winning the #prize validated my practice, made me more accepting of my art practice. To be recognised by your peers drives your passion. You see your work as a valid form of art. Submitting to the #prize does take work. The submission process and the calibre of previous work is taken into consideration, but I think this extra effort really reflected in the high calibre of entries for the #prize.”

Kirsten Hudson, winner of the inaugural 2021 #prize said, “It wasn’t really winning the #prize per se that allowed for my confidence to grow. It was more the comments made by the judges (not just about my work, but also of others) that really stood out for me I personally think the uniqueness of this #prize is due to its open- hearted non-cynical attempt to allow for the connection many experience with the natural environment (whether that be in coiffed and cultivated gardens, or out on country), to be explored artistically. My support for the #prize and its expansion in 2023 is unreserved.”

Organisations and individuals who wish to support the #yorkbotanicartprize can donate through the Australian Cultural Fund campaign here . All donations made through the Australian Cultural Fund are tax deductible.

Patron of the Yok Botanic Art Prize is Professor Josh Byrne, a respected academic, environmental scientist, landscape designer sustainability advocate and ABC TV Gardening #Australia presenter. The #yorkbotanicartprize is supported by the York Branch of the Wildflower Society of Western #Australia and by donors through the Australian Cultural Fund including Artitja Fine Art, David Lullfitz, Helen Turner,Ivan & Jill Rogers and Joanna Bryant.


PRIZES
Winner: $11,000 | People's Choice: $1000

Finalists will be exhibited in York , Western #Australia, at Gallery 152, 152 Avon Terrace, from Sunday 26 November 2023 to Wednesday 31 January 2024.

The #prize will be judged by, Dr Laetitia Wilson, Ron Bradfield Jnr and Professor Fiona Stanley AC, with the winner announced at the formal opening on Sunday, 26 November 2023. The People’s Choice winner will be announced on 27 January 2024.

Entries by Expression of Interest opened on Saturday 13 May 2023 and close Monday 17 July 2023,11.59pm AWST.