Lake Art Prize 2020 Finalist Exhibition

Launched in August 2020, the inaugural Lake Art Prize was open to artists Australia-wide and offered a total acquisitive prize pool of $25,000. 

Artists, working across all mediums, were invited to submit works which reflect on the theme 'Where there is Water'.

With more than 600 submissions received for the prize, judges Cara Pinchbeck and Elizabeth Ann Macgregor OBE had the difficult task of selecting finalists.

After a thorough review process, 42 artworks from 47 artists were selected for the inaugural finalist exhibition.

Lake Art Prize 2020 Winner

A thought-provoking mixed media artwork exploring the experience of a deaf artist finding their safe space in the world has claimed the inaugural Lake Art Prize.

Artist Chelle Destefano’s Navigating to Safe Space – a textile artwork that acts as a screen for a silent video projection – will also be added to the Museum of Art and Culture collection. 

Victoria-based Destefano, 41, said it was heartening to see members of the deaf community recognised for their voices, culture and identity.

“The message in the work relating to seas of communities was a powerful one when I related an experience I had when looking for and finding the deaf community,” she said.

“It was like seas of water trying to find that, and then coming to shore, so to speak, to find them.”

Lake Art Prize 2020 People’s Choice Winner

Congratulations to artist Diana Grant who has won the $2,000 People’s Choice Award for her work Rain from Nowhere.

Grant’s piece was a clear favourite amongst visitors with the artwork receiving almost three times the number of votes compared to any other work. 

   

Acquired Works for MAC’s Collection

In addition to acquiring Destefano’s work, MAC also purchased four other “exceptional” works from the exhibition for its permanent collection.

They included The Last Arborist by Lotti Consalvo, Water is Life! by Ben Adams, Baaka Nhuungku by Lotte Hilder and Jasmine Cruciun, and Wilugaju Wilara by Dale Collier and Nicole Monks.

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Lake Art Prize 2020 Finalists:

Ben Adams
Prudence Bansemer
Liam Benson
Robert Berry
Jesse Boyd-Reid
Matt Bromhead
Bonny Burangarra
Penelope Cain
Maria Camilleri
Wanjun Carpenter
Erin Coates, Louise Devenish and Stuart James
Dale Collier and Nicole Monks
Lottie Consalvo
Jasmine Craciun and Charlotte Hilder
Cheryl Cusick
Chelle Destefano
John Earle
Susan Eve
Emma Fielden
Mark Forbes
Diana Grant
Jay Jermyn
Connie Keith
Sturt Krygsman
Marisa Liistro
Denise Lombard
Dani McKenzie
Kate Nielsen
Paul O'Brien
Maricelle Oliver
Raj Panda
Pamela Pauline
Emily Portmann
Brianna Speight and Rosina Possingham
Shawn Stowe
Janet Tavener
Shonah Trescott
Deborah Van Heekeren
Rachel Wellisch
Ahn Wells
Katherine Williams
Suzi Zglinicki

When

Location

1A First Street, Booragul 2284  View in Google Maps