The 2023 Mosman Art Prize – Australia’s oldest and most recognised local government art award has been awarded to Sydney-based artist David Griggs. This work is from a series of paintings entitled Baseline, and the other works from this series are currently on display at GAG Projects, Adelaide. Of this series, David says: “Most recently my process is to make detailed paintings, before disrupting them with a more gestural application, to try to wash away the mechanisms we have as painters”. Originating from a difficult medical experience, Griggs has approached this difficult subject matter with his characteristic honesty to create apainting that is chaotic and gestural, but ultimately touches on the vulnerability of our humanity.
Griggs has won the $50,000 acquisitive prize for The stitches and the melanoma, 2023
Of the work, Griggs says: “A free flowing emotional process to exile past worries into a positive flesh-like visual that examines an experience with skin cancer.”
About David Griggs
Eight times Archibald Prize finalist, artist David Griggs creates vibrant, energetic paintings that exhume the raw undercurrents of a society and human conditions. Griggs is known for his bold anarchistic approach, drawing on personal experience, political imagery, popular culture and local crime histories. Often revealing the social hierarchies and underground culture of Manila, Philippines where he resided for 10 years. His major survey exhibition, BETWEEN NATURE AND SIN has been touring Australia from 2017-19.
Griggs was presented with the first prize of $50,000 by 2023 judge and artist Fiona Lowry at the exhibition opening on the evening of Friday 22 September at Mosman Art Gallery, Sydney.
Commenting on the winning work, Fiona Lowry says: “Having followed David’s work over a number of years, I was excited to see this work with David’s characteristically provocative and complex storytelling. I found the vulnerability of this work to be especially compelling as it reflects on our imperfections and the fragility of life.”
Further awards presented on the night included the Margaret Olley Commendation Award ($6,000) given to Huseyin Sami (Sydney), the Allan Gamble Award (for built environment) valued at $3,500 won by Lewis Ihnatko (Sydney), and the Guy Warren Emerging Artist Award, $2,000 presented to Heath Nock (Sydney).
The 2023 Mosman Art Prize attracted 1295 entries from across Australia with 91 paintings selected for the finalist exhibition.
Commenting on the exhibition this year, John Cheeseman, Director, Mosman Art Gallery says: “The quality of this year’s works is outstanding with this exhibition providing a national survey of contemporary painting practices. This year’s judge, Fiona Lowry, has reviewed all 1,295 submissions and has done a phenomenal job in selecting all 91 finalists and in adjudicating the winning entries. Artists should be thrilled by their achievement in being selected and audiences will be treated to seeing some of the most exciting artworks being made in Australia today.”
Mosman Mayor, Councillor Carolyn Corrigan says: “Mosman Council is proud of its ongoing support of this important prize and of all the artists. We are delighted to acquire this work for the Mosman Art Collection, and for it to sit alongside the work of precious winners such as Margaret Olley, Noel McKenna and Salote Tawale. Congratulations to David Griggs and I personally congratulate all finalists.”
A total of $61,500 in prize money was awarded to artists across four categories:
Major Prize (acquisitive) $50,000 – Supported by Mosman Council
Winner: David Griggs (Sydney)
for The stitches and the melanoma, 2023, oil on canvas, 137.5 x 102 cm
Margaret Olley Commendation Award $6,000 – Supported by Gillian and the late Brian Jones
Winner: Huseyin Sami (Sydney)
for Bucket Painting, 2022, synthetic polymer paint on polyester, 152 x 122 cm
Allan Gamble Award $3,500 – Supported by Christine and the late Hugh Fraser
Winner: Lewis Ihnatko (Sydney)
for Red River, 2023, synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 71 x 51cm
Guy Warren Emerging Artists Award $2,000 – Supported by Fourth Village Providore
Winner: Heath Nock (Sydney)
for The Weirdos, 2023, oil on linen, 122 x 102 cm
