Entries open for Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award

Entries are now open for the Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award 2010 – an award that challenges artists to use their creativity and ingenuity to transform the difficult medium of no.8 wire into works of art.

This unique annual award is organised by Waikato Museum and ArtsPost Galleries and Shop, and sponsored by New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays. Artists have until 19 April to submit their entries, with $4000 up for grabs for first place, $1500 for second place and $1000 for third place.

Judging this year’s entries will be Karl Chitham, who has been involved in the arts sector in various roles for more than 10 years. He has a Masters Degree in Sculpture from Elam School of Fine Arts and has been in numerous exhibitions including Handycrafts at Te Tuhi – The Mark, and Absentee at Lopdell House Gallery.

Mr Chitham has been a mentor and an educator at both secondary and tertiary levels, most recently as a Lecturer in the Certificate Programme at Unitec NZ. He has also been active in the arts advocacy arena as a longstanding board member of the Artists Alliance.

Waikato Museum director Kate Vusoniwailala said the Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award has become a highlight on the art calendar and offers something unique for artists to turn their hand to.

"The awards draw on an iconic farm product and translate this through talent and ingenuity into an art form. Each year the exhibition draws significant interest from both artists and members of the public who are intrigued to discover what imaginative and creative responses there are to the use of no.8 wire," she said.

Fieldays general manager Barry Quayle said, “The innovation of utilising agricultural implements in art is synonymous with Fieldays with both the No.8 Wire Art Award and the Ag Art Wear competitions. It’s a challenge we believe New Zealanders relish.”

Finalists for this year’s Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award will be exhibited at ArtsPost Galleries and Shop between 4-28 June, with an award ceremony for invited guests and artists to be held on 3 June.

Fieldays event coordinator Jacqui Cooper said, “The calibre of past entries is outstanding. We anticipate artists competing for the prestigious 2010 Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award will be inspired to produce a diverse range of exceptional pieces.”

Entry forms and full terms/conditions for the award can be downloaded from www.artspost.co.nz or collected from ArtsPost Galleries and Shop on Victoria Street.