Portia Geach Memorial Award 2008

Exhibition Closing 9 November

 

Now in its 44th year the Portia Geach Memorial Award, at $18,000 is the richest art prize solely for women in Australia. It was established in 1961 by Florence Kate Geach to commemorate her sister Portia's (1873-1959) achievements. In similar fashion to the Archibald Prize, the awardis given on an annual basis to the "best portraits painted from life of some man or woman distinguished in Art, Letters, or Science by any female resident artist in Australia". It has become a reminder of the importance of women's art practice in the Australian art scene, throughout history, and pays homage to the great artist and activist Portia Stranson Geach.

The 2008 Portia Geach Memorial Award attracted submissions of 294 works of which 56 have been selected for exhibition. Judges for the 2008 award are Barry Pearce, Head, Australian Paintings AGNSW, Aida Tomescu, award winning artist, and Jane Watters, S.H. Ervin Gallery Director. Commenting on this year's entries, the judges were particularly impressed by the freshness and diversity of approach to the challenge of portrait painting by the artists. The judges believed they were amongst some of the best they have judged over the last decade.

The Portia Geach Memorial Award was first given in 1965 to Jean Appleton for her work, Self Portrait. The award continues to play a major role in developing the profiles of many of Australia's female artists. Past winners include Kim Spooner, Nancy Borlase, Mary Moore, Maria Cruz, Wendy Sharpe, Jenny Sages, Nerissa Lea, Jude Rae, Lucy Culliton and 2007 winner, Maryanne Coutts.

Image: Winner of the 2008 Portia Geach Memorial Award, Jude Rae, Self Portrait 2008 (the year my husband left)

 

Click here to view the media release for the winner

Click here to view the list of Finalists

Click here to view Media Information

 

Selected finalists announced: 29 September 2008

Media annoucement, winner: 2 October 2008

Public viewing: 3 October - 9 November 2008

Public program of artists talks at Sunday 3pm

 

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