The Silk Cut Award was introduced in 1995 to promote the making, appreciation and understanding of contemporary linocut printmaking in Australia, supporting artists and students who work with this exciting medium. Sponsored by Duroloid, the national distributors of Silk Cut Linoleum, the award aims to provide creative opportunities for artists of all ages.
It is now one of the richest print Awards in Australia, with prizes and acquisitions sponsored by Duroloid in the Open, Tertiary and Student Sections totalling more than $20,000 in value. The Award attracts a high standard of entries from artists and students from Australia and overseas.
A unique and vital part of the award is its special category for primary and secondary school students with winners being part of an ongoing gift to the National Gallery of Australia. International entries are welcome and encouraged. In 2012, a new Tertiary Student Acquisitive Award of $1,000 was introduced, generating a great deal of interest. The name Silk Cut reflects the versatile and effortless handling qualities of this natural linoleum product.
2015 Key dates — All Sections
| 5 June (5pm) | Closing date for entries |
| 15 July | All entrants notified of pre-selection results. |
| 20-22 August | Receipt of artworks at Glen Eira City Council Gallery. (For specific drop-off times please see Conditions of Entry) |
| 4 September | Exhibition opening/Awards presentation. Announcement of winners and acquisitions. 6:30pm |
| 20 September | Exhibition closes at 5pm. |
| 21-22 September | Collection of exhibited works (10am – 5pm). No work will be available for collection, either by artists or their agents, outside these dates unless by appointment with Glen Eira City Council Gallery. You must phone the Gallery and arrange a pickup time in advance. |
Judging Panel
Dr Vincent Alessi
Curatorial Manager,The Ian Potter Museum of Art, The University of Melbourne
Jane Alexander
Gallery Director, Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery
Rosalind Atkins
Artist and Lecturer, Gippsland Centre for Art & Design, Faculty of Education & Arts
Exhibition
5–20 September 2015
Glen Eira City Council Gallery (Glen Eira Town Hall)
Corner Glen Eira and Hawthorn Roads, Caulfield
All entrants are invited to the official opening and announcement of prize-winners to be held from 6-8pm on Friday 4 September 2015.
Prizes
Open Section
Grand Prize (Acquisitive): the winner may choose either:
An artistically-based trip to Amsterdam valued at $10,000 including return air fares, 10 days’ accommodation, organised tours and activities and $1,000 spending money
OR a monetary prize of $8,000.
Purchase Prizes: Up to $5,000 for the Silk Cut Foundation collection, forming an ongoing gift to the National Gallery of Australia.
Tertiary Section
One Tertiary Student Acquisitive Award of $1,000 will be selected by the judges and presented. The winning work will form part of the ongoing gift to the National Gallery of Australia.
Student Section
Up to three acquisitive Silk Cut Student Awards will be presented. The winners will each receive a Silk Cut Award Trophy and Certificate of recognition and their school will receive a monetary prize of $2,500 for their art department. All winning works will form part of the ongoing gift to the National Gallery of Australia.
Commended Works (student section):
Up to four commended works will be selected by the judges (non-acquisitive). These entries will receive publication and a certificate of recognition.
