If you exit the site, your Wishlist will not be saved.
Artbank Prize finalists and judges (left to right) Elyas Alavi, Dave Carswell, Cathy Franzi, Angelina Karadada Boona, Ellie Buttrose, Elizabeth Fortescue, Tony Albert, Annette Galstaun, Damien Shen, Wanapati Yunupiŋu. Photo: Jessica Maurer.
Following Elyas Alavi's (VIC) win in the inaugural Artbank Prize, Artbank is pleased to announce the acquisition of all works by the finalists into its national collection. The decision represents a significant investment in contemporary Australian art and an enduring legacy of the inaugural Prize. The Artbank Prize was developed as a national open-call initiative, attracting more than 740 applications from artists across Australia and culminating in a finalist exhibition featuring one finalist from each state and territory.
Originally established as an acquisitive prize with a commitment to acquire the winning work, the success of the exhibition and the exceptional quality of the finalist artworks led Artbank to make the unprecedented decision to acquire all eight works into the national collection. The finalists represent a diverse range of artistic practices, perspectives and lived experiences, reflecting the breadth and vitality of contemporary artmaking in Australia.
The eight acquired works are by:
Zoë Rodriguez, Artbank Director, says the calibre of the finalists prompted Artbank to extend its original acquisition commitment:
"When we launched the Artbank Prize, our goal was to create a new pathway into the Artbank collection for artists not yet represented within it. The response exceeded our expectations, not only in the number of applications we received, but in the extraordinary calibre of work presented by the finalists."
"Throughout the exhibition, it became clear that each of these artists had made a unique and significant contribution to the conversation about contemporary Australian art. Acquiring all eight finalist works is a meaningful way for Artbank to support these artists and ensure their work becomes part of a collection that is seen and experienced by audiences across the country."
"Together, these acquisitions strengthen the diversity, depth and relevance of the Artbank collection. They bring new voices, stories and perspectives into a nationally significant public collection and reflect the remarkable creativity that is emerging across Australia today." - Zoë Rodriguez
The inaugural Artbank Prize was created to provide an open pathway for artists who are not already represented in the Artbank collection, offering an opportunity for acquisition and national exposure through Artbank's leasing program. The Prize attracted more than 740 eligible applications, which were narrowed to a shortlist of 68 artists before the selection of eight finalists by judges Tony Albert, Ellie Buttrose and Elizabeth Fortescue.
“For me, the acquisition from Artbank early in my career was really seminal in the projection of where I am. And it's just not the acquisition alone. It's the visibility in the aftermath, the way in which the Artbank collection is shared through so many diverse audiences, in public places outside of a traditional museum – Artbank art reaches everybody.” - Tony Albert
By acquiring all eight finalist works, Artbank extends the impact of the Prize beyond a single winner, creating long-term opportunities for each artist while enriching a collection that supports living Australian artists and promotes public access to contemporary art. The works will join the Artbank collection and become available for lease, allowing audiences across workplaces, public institutions and community spaces to engage with some of the most exciting contemporary artistic practices from around the country.
