Judges announced for prestigious Parkin Drawing Award

14 May 2018

The judging panel consisting of recognised art practitioners, collectors, and academics have been selected for 2018 Parkin Drawing Prize national competition.

The prestigious award attracting a major prize of $20,000 was launched six years ago by Chris Parkin, arts patron, philanthropist and former owner of Museum Art Hotel in Wellington.

Entries are now open to anyone living permanently in New Zealand. 10 highly commended prizes each worth $500.00 will also be offered, providing an added incentive for artists.

An advisory panel, consisting of John Gow, Director of Gow Langsford Gallery, highly regarded art curator and writer Emma Budgen and Simon Rees, Director of Govett Brewster, will select the finalists for the exhibition at the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts (17 July to 19 August 2018).

The winning submission will be selected and announced by renowned New Zealand painter Kelcy Taratoa at the opening of the Parkin Drawing Prize exhibition on Tuesday 16 July 2018.

“I believe the Parkin Drawing Prize elevates the discipline of drawing to its rightful place alongside its preeminent contemporaries and plays a significant role in recording the evolution of drawing in the context of Aotearoa, New Zealand. I wish all those submitting works for this year’s Parkin Drawing Prize all the very best, and thank them for their contribution to one of New Zealand’s most important arts events on the national arts calendar,” said Taratoa.

Founder Chris Parkin says the selection of judges continues a track record of high-calibre judges for the competition since its inception in 2012.

“I’m delighted with this year's line-up of judges, particularly because they all bring to the table a wealth of ideas, experience and alternative conservations from different facets of the art world – we have a Curator who’s held prestigious positions internationally and at home, a highly respected art dealer, collector and consultant, and a renowned New Zealand painter and art teacher. I’m excited to see what we have in store for 2018 and am once again anticipating another thought-provoking exhibition for this year’s event,” said Parkin.

The competition, in association with the New Zealand Academy of Fine Arts, promotes excellence and innovation in drawing in all its forms (processes, materials and ideas) and aims to play an important role in fostering New Zealand drawing practice.

Previous recipients of the award include Monique Jansen (2013) with AO Folded Moire Drawing; Douglas Stichbury (2014) with Observer, Gabrielle Amodeo (2015) with The Floor We Walk On, Hannah Beehre (2016) with Catastrophe and Kirsty Lillico’s State Block last year.

Entries close at 4pm on June 8, 2018. Forms and full details are available at www.parkinprize.nz.

ENDS

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