The National Capital Art Prize is a not-for-profit company established in Canberra in March 2021. Managed by honorary Directors, the company supports and showcases Australian artists and celebrates their skill and diversity through an annual national painting competition. The competition was also established to profile Australia’s National Capital as a cultural hub.
All funds generated through partnerships and entry fees are used in the running of the National Capital Art Prize and are continuously reinvested in the Prize to encourage artistic endeavour into the future.
Their Story
The saying ‘Creativity takes courage’ originally came from the famous French artist, Henri Matisse, and it certainly rings true in the art world. It takes courage to pursue artistic endeavours. The process of creating art is deeply personal and provides an opportunity for true self-expression. We all view the world through a different lens, and it takes bravery to share our views and beliefs, especially where it can be judged by others.
The life of an artist also goes against societal norms. A career in The Arts isn’t considered to be a safe or stable path. Artists need courage to
continue pursuing their passions, especially during tough times like the COVID-19 pandemic. With less opportunities to display and sell their work through the pandemic, many artists have been struggling and have had to be extremely resilient. The National Capital Art Prize is all about to supporting artists and reigniting their passion and courage.
The Competition
With a prize pool of more than $45,000, this competition aims to ignite the passion and courage of artists across the country, many of whom lost the opportunity to display and sell their work during 2020 with its devastating impact on the arts sector. The annual National Capital Art Prize has been established to: Promote culturally diverse artistic endeavours Showcase the talent of Australian artists Support the artistic education and endeavours of young people Nurture the creative development of artists in Australia Provide a forum where art can be viewed, studied, critiqued, and sold The inaugural 2021 competition offered an exciting platform for Australian artists of all genres, ages and level of experience.
Their Mission
Designed to minimise restrictions often placed on artists in competitions, National Capital Art Prize entries can portray any vision and be painted in any medium including oil, acrylic, watercolour, mixed media, or pencil. Artists can submit up to four entries.
The National Capital Art Prize also aims to further position Canberra as a significant arts hub in Australia and a leading destination for culture and the arts.
The National Capital Art Prize will be held annually with Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia over 18 years of age invited to submit up to four paintings in any of the four categories.
The Open Category was won by Janne Kearney
Artist Statement
Women controlling their own sexuality is a taboo subject, this work teases the viewer’s perception of sweetness and innocence through the subject’s visual double entendre. Not relying upon validation of her actions, safe in free love and self-expression, confidently taunting the viewer, while playfully aware of her sexual power. She will not be slut shamed, or pigeonholed. Each of us has the right to exist without torment, exploring current pushes within gender politics, against a climate of sexual harassment and the right for each of us not to accept sub-par treatment, to be truly liberated and be ourselves.
The Landscape Category was won by Greg Mallyon
Artist Statement
My work is inspired by aerial views of the landscape below. During my travels I have flown over and travelled through much of outback Australia including remote locations such as the Tanami Desert.
My paintings involve the creation and deletion of multiple layers of paint and varnishes that are often sanded and scraped back and recreated again. A process just like the earth’s own cycle of destruction and renewal.
The People Choice Category was won by Mark Wilson
Artist Statement
Julia Gillard was our first female Prime Minister, a strong woman in a men’s club world. I wanted to humanise her as a politician and celebrate her Prime Ministership; her introduction of a Carbon Tax, the NDIS scheme and her famous “Misogynist” speech. As a fellow red head, I could not help adding “Red Heads Rule..!” with the iconic Australian Redheads behind her.
The First Nation Winner was won by Betty Pula Morton
Artist Statement
I enjoy and understand the importance of painting bush medicine plants. Bush medicine plants are used for healing on the body and for drinking. There are lots of different medicines, we know what their stories are as we learnt them from our parents, and we teach these stories to our children. They help in the healing of my people and it keeps the tradition and knowledge strong.
These particular plants are very plentiful after rain and can be used for numerous conditions, such as skin irritations, flu, coughs and infections.
The Student Category was won by Samantha Corbett
Artist Statement
This painting explores the moments of intimacy and distance that characterises this technological age. Digital imagery from my social media circles became a creative entry into painting to develop an aesthetic that speaks to the oscillation between figuration and abstraction, imagery and feeling.
See The 2021 Winners of the National Capital Art Prize
