The prestigious Sunshine Coast Art Prize 2019 exhibition will be unveiled at Caloundra Regional Gallery tomorrow.
The exhibition features a contemporary mix of work by established, mid-career and emerging artists, all vying for the acquisitive major prize of $25,000.
The finalist works selected for this year’s exhibition encompass oil and acrylic painting, print, textile, drawing and photography.
Arts Portfolio Councillor Rick Baberowski said the exhibition encompassed a strong body of work that was an apt reflection of contemporary 2D arts practice in Australia.
“We are privileged that the growing national acclaim of the Sunshine Coast Art Prize continues to attract entries from some of Australia’s best contemporary and emerging artists,” Cr Baberowski said.
“The 2019 finalist works demonstrate strong narratives and bold expressions of mood, colour and pattern.
“The exhibition is one to see, for me it has artwork that is demanding of its audience and reflects a return to greater confidence in our artists to interpret and comment on the times we live in.
“Whether you are a long-time arts lover or have never been to an exhibition, I encourage you to visit Caloundra Regional Gallery to view this showcase exhibition for yourself and enjoy the challenge of voting for your favourite work in the People’s Choice prize.”
The winners will be announced at the official exhibition opening event during Horizon Festival on Thursday, August 29.
The Sunshine Coast Art Prize 2019 will be judged by Alison Kubler, museum and gallery curator and Editor of VAULT Australasian Art & Culture magazine.
The art prize offers a prize pool of more than $30,000 in cash and prizes including:
- An acquisitive major prize of $25,000 cash sponsored by Sunshine Coast Council;
- A non-acquisitive Highly Commended prize of $5000 sponsored by the De Deyne family;
- A non-acquisitive People’s Choice prize of $2500 sponsored by Caloundra Chamber of Commerce;
- A Sunshine Coast Art Prize Residency sponsored by Montville Country Cabins and Caloundra Regional Gallery.
The winning artwork will become part of the Sunshine Coast Art Collection.
The People’s Choice prize winner will be announced after the exhibition closes.
The exhibition will be on display until Sunday, September 15.
Public Programs
‘Face Time’ with Laith McGregor
Date: Monday, August 26
Time: 10am – 3.30pm
Cost: $86
Details: Examine facial features, create quick studies then draw/paint a self-portrait which you will later deconstruct by drawing, erasing or graffiti.
‘Fantastic Creatures: A dollar store galore’ with Gerwyn Davies
Date: Tuesday, August 27
Time: 10-11.30am / 12.30-2pm / 2.30-4pm
Cost: $31
Details: Construct a fantastic costumed creature using ready-made and everyday objects before acting out your creation for your own photographic portrait.
‘At home in the modern world’ with Rob McHaffie
Date: Wednesday, August 28
Time: 10am – 3pm
Cost: $86
Details: Learn about the use of collage to make references for paintings that explore narrative and the world we live in with an emphasis on portraiture and its relationship to the built environment.
‘Techniques in abstracting the representational’ with Amber Wallis
Date: Friday, August 30
Time: 10am – 3pm
Cost: $86
Details: Explore the painterly terrain where representation and abstraction meet. Look at abstraction in contemporary practice differently using varied and experimental painterly applications and techniques.
Uncovered Floor Talk: Sunshine Coast Art Prize 2019 Judge’s Talk and Winner’s Comments
Date: Friday, August 30
Time: 10-11am
Cost: Free
Limited places available, . Visit the gallery website (
