The annual Wallace Art Awards marks its 20th anniversary this year and The Dowse will showcase the winners and most of the finalists. The Dowse is the only Wellington venue to host this outstanding awards exhibition; the awards are the longest running of their type in New Zealand. With prizes amounting to over $165,000, the awards were presented by Auckland Mayor Len Brown at The Pah Homestead, TSB Bank Wallace Arts Centre on Monday 5 September.
The 2011 Paramount Winner is Akiko Diegel who receives a 6 month-residency at the International Studio and Curatorial Program in New York, USA. Akiko's work is Cure, 2011, made up of disprin packets fashioned into bulldog clips.
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The 20th Awards were thebiggest yet, with 559 entries received from which 116 finalists have been selected. The Awards were judged by three distinguished New Zealand artists – Philip Trusttum, Sara Hughes and Peter Gibson-Smith.
The other 2011 winners are:
Brydee Rood
Fulbright Wallace Trust Award
Brydee receives a 3 month-residency at the Headlands Center for the Arts in San Francisco, USA.
Matt Ellwood
The Kaipara Foundation Wallace Trust Award
Matt receives a 3 month-residency at the Altes Spital in Solothurn, Switzerland.
Bronwynne Cornish
Wallace Development Award
Bronwynne receives a 2 month-residency at the Vermont Studio Center in Vermont, USA.
Emil McAvoy
Ist Runner Up Award
Emil is awarded $2,000 cash
Anita Levering
2nd Runner Up Award
Anita is awarded $2,000 cash
Philip Dadson
Jury Award
This prize is non-monetary
The People’s Choice Award, worth $500, will be decided after the Travelling Exhibition has finished its leg at The Dowse on 4 December.
Founded by Auckland businessman in 1992, James Wallace, the Wallace Art Awards acknowledge, encourage and financially reward contemporary New Zealand artists producing outstanding work in the mediums of painting, sculpture and photography. Many of the winners and finalists are added to the Wallace Collection each year. Catalogues will be available for sale during the exhibition. Wallace Arts Trust