Australia’s most significant thematic Christian art prize has been announced at Holmes à Court Gallery in West Perth.
The Award has attracted some of the nation’s finest artists since it was first established in 1985.
This year, of 275 submissions, 41 artists from across Australia and WA were selected to exhibit.
All artists submitting addressed the 2022 theme of Metamorphosis, with a biblical reference to Isaiah 43:19 – “I am about to do a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?”
The $25,000 major St John of God Health Care prize was won by Claire Beausein from Western Australia with Chalice, which was created from wild silkworm cocoons, stitched together with silk thread and presented on cotton rag paper.
The rare artwork included museum insect pins, traditionally used to display moths.
The work will become part of the Mandorla Collection, held in perpetuity at New Norcia Museum and Art Gallery and displayed in its Mandorla Gallery.
The Award is administered by the Mandorla Centre for Inner Peace Inc. steered by a volunteer committee and curator.
Being selected to exhibit in this prestigious prize is highly sought after by artists and winning the major prize can be life changing.
This year the selection panel included ECU Honorary Professor Ted Snell, artist Susanna Castleden and Notre Dame University theologian Associate Professor Glenn Morison.
Judges of the award are John Curtin Gallery Director Chris Malcolm, artist Erin Coates and theologian Rev Ros Fairless.
Mandorla Chairperson Angela McCarthy says the chosen finalists are an outstanding group of Australian artists and their interpretation of our theme shows their diversity and expertise. “It is exciting to see how the theme of ‘Metamorphosis’ referenced from the prophet Isaiah, has been presented to us in such a challenging way,” Dr McCarthy said.
Curator Lyn Di Ciero says the Award continues a long association between art and religion.
“The very emergence of Western art can be attributed to religious artworks, created to convey stories from the Bible when the majority of people were illiterate.
“In 2022, the continuation of this association elevates reflections on modern life in contemporary ways, with artists using an array of mediums.
This year a diverse range of mediums include uranium glass, wild silkworm cocoons, human hair gifted from around the world, ash, earth, seeds, copper, gold thread, survey pickets, 3D scans, video and timber, as well as more traditional mediums such as oil, acrylic and printmaking.
“Together with both traditional and unusual mediums, and artists’ considered reflections on the theme, the 2022 Mandorla Art Award is an exciting and memorable exhibition.”