Now in its 36th year, ‘the churchie’ has become one of Australia’s leading prizes for emerging artists, offering a $25,000 prize pool to support artists at a critical moment in their careers.
The finalists’ exhibition will take place at the Institute of Modern Art from 20 May to 19 August 2023, featuring compelling works by thirteen early-career artists selected from across the country. Curated by Sebastian Henry-Jones, the exhibition spans painting, sculpture, video, drawing, printmaking, and photography in an examination of the theme of context.“The exhibition is organised around the theme of context, recognising the fact that an artist’s practice does not only occur in the studio, but also, is inherently linked to the particularities of time and place,” said Henry-Jones.“Whether it be through the materials they use, the research they are engaged in, the place in which it occurs, or the audiences they make work for, each finalist in ‘the churchie’ this year is intrinsically connected to the cultural, social, economic, and historic conditions that shape the reality of our lives on this continent today.”
Finalists
Alrey Batol (VIC)
Amanda Bennetts (QLD)
Dylan Bolger (QLD)
Luke Brennan (NSW)
Matthew Brown (WA)
Raf McDonald (VIC)
Corben Mudjandi (NT)
Melody Paloma (VIC)
Roberta Joy Rich (VIC)
Joel Spring (NSW)
Jess Tan (WA)
Debbie Taylor-Worley (NSW)
Ash Tower (SA)
Curator
Sebastian Henry-Jones
Image: Dynamic Drills by Emmaline Zanelli
