2022/23 Blacktown City Art Prize Winners Announced

Blacktown Arts are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2022/23 Blacktown City Art Prize.

The overall prize winner is Peter Rush for his artwork Sightlines, The Blacktown Native Institution site. Standing here, it’s placeless, I felt erasure, ignorance (my own), indifference. The winning piece is a drawing of Blacktown Native Institution on Richmond Road, representing a connection between past, present and future. Judges recognised that the artwork shows a connection to Darug history and culture and speaks to the history of the place.

The winning artwork was chosen from 71 finalists and comes with a prize of $15,000. It will also be acquired for the Blacktown City Art Collection.

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said: “I wish to congratulate Peter Rush on winning this prestigious art prize, which attracts entries from artists from all over Australia.

The artworks that made it through to the final round of judging were of an incredibly high standard and I’m proud to say many of these pieces were from western Sydney artists.

For 27 years, this art prize has provided an important platform for artists to share, develop and enrich their creative practice. I congratulate all winners and finalists.”

This year the judges were excited to announce one Highly Commended place to Connor Ovenden-Shaw for TRANSaction.

The winner of the Aboriginal Artist Prize was awarded to Leanne Jones for her artwork Dinawan Ngarraarry – Emu Hunt. Highly Commended for the Aboriginal Artist Prize was given to Virginia Keft, The Colony on Show and Jayne Christian, Guwing Burragula Ngurrawa (Sunset on Country).

The winner of the Local Artist Prize was awarded to local artist Mina Lee, for her artwork Rousehill Farm. Highly Commended for the Local Artist Prize was given to Justin (Jian hua) Qian, Totem and Mary Nguyen, Small Sketches.

The Blacktown City Art Prize exhibition opened the Blacktown Arts 2023 program at The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre.

The works span a range of styles and media including drawing, painting, printmaking, sculpture, ceramics, and photo and mixed-media.

The independent judging panel comprising Venessa Possum (artist, CEO, Blue Mountains Culture and Resource Centre), Brett Adlington (CEO, Museums and Galleries NSW) and Fan Dongwang (local artist) commented that diverse and versatile styles were reflected amongst the selected finalists’ work which included a mix of emerging and established artists.

This year, Blacktown Arts received 514 entries from across Australia.

Visitors can vote for their favourite artwork in the People’s Choice Prize. The winner will be announced in the final week of the exhibition.

Alongside the Art Prize, Blacktown Arts will be showcasing over 100 artworks from the 2022/23 Young Artist Prize. Kids and young people aged 3-14 years from Blacktown City have created artworks in response to the theme of Caring for Waterways.

The Blacktown City Art Prize and Young Artist Prize exhibition is open to the public from Tuesday 10 January to Friday 17 February 2023. Entry is free and all are welcome.Photo credit
Liza Moscatelli