The Alice Prize
This year, the work of 58 finalists selected from 531 applicants adorns the Araluen Arts Centre gallery for the 42nd Alice Prize. Some will grab your eye with boldness, others with their technical execution. Some with their controversy.
By Zoya Godoroja-Prieckaerts
“The Alice Prize is like a special art-shaped treat that is only served in Alice every two years. It’s an opportunity for the Central Australian community to see the work of many prominent Australian artists that they may not otherwise have access to,” says one of this year’s judges, Lucy Stewart.
“It is also a levelling field where our top NT artists can be judged alongside their interstate peers. For the winner, it’s an opportunity to be acquired in the Araluen collection – over the years this has grown to be representative of nearly 50 years of Australian art.”
There’s some serious cash up for grabs, with the overall winner taking out $30,000 for the acquisition prize.
As always, there are myriad mediums presented including painting, textiles, ceramics, photography, printmaking, digital media and more, with themes of home, place and landscape.
Not surprisingly, COVID is also a recurring theme in this year’s prize. We asked Lucy how the prize compared to other national prizes.
“Well, being Alice, it is unique and inclusive. Local, NT, interstate, Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal artists all make it into the gallery. There is no invisible line to separate the elite interstate arts academy.”
Expect to find colourful and playful works, some much-needed humour in dark times, and an increase in ceramic media – likely a result of the upcoming Ceramics Triennial in Alice later this year!
Of course, we cannot forget the backbone of this event, the dedicated volunteers and the vision that has kept it thriving for all these years. The 42nd prize is a clear indication that this event enriches our arts dialogue and marks the Centre as an arts-attracting community, overflowing with talented creative people.
Get on down to Araluen. Don’t miss what the Centre and beyond has to offer.
The 42nd Alice Prize
WHEN SAT 9 APR – SUN 5 JUN | OPENING FRI 8 APR, 6PM
AT ARALUEN ARTS CENTRE
INFO aliceprize.com
Thumbnail, header & inset: Winner of the 41st Alice Prize, Thea Anamara Perkins, 'Tent Embassy', 2019, acrylic on clayboard, 40.5x30.5cm. Araluen Art Collection
