Entries open for Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award

Entries are now open for the Fieldays No. 8 Wire National Art Award 2011.

The annual award, organised by Waikato Museum and ArtsPost Galleries and supported by major sponsor New Zealand National Agricultural Fieldays, challenges artists to use their creativity and ingenuity to transform the difficult medium of no.8 wire into works of art.

Artists have until 26 April to submit entries for the award, with $4000 up for grabs for first place, $1500 for second place and $1000 for third place.

This year’s judge will be independent curator, arts consultant and writer, Dr Carole Shepheard, who was a Professor of Fine Arts at The University of Auckland until 2007 when she left to live permanently in Kawhia.

Dr Shepheard has exhibited both nationally and internationally with her art in all major New Zealand Art collections including the Auckland Art Gallery and Te Papa Tongarewa. She was made a Commonwealth International Woman of the Year in 1991 and an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2002, and in 2004 gained her Doctorate of Fine Arts.

Waikato Museum director Kate Vusoniwailala said the award is something unique for artists to turn their hand to.

“It is always amazing to see what the artists come up with for this unique award – 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.”

The work of this year’s finalists will be exhibited at ArtsPost Galleries and Shop from 10 June to 18 July, with an awards ceremony for invited guests and artists to be held on 9 June.

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