The Wynne Art Prize
Are you ready to be a part of history? Visit the New England Regional Art Museum to see one of the oldest and most prestigious art awards in Australia on tour in regional NSW for the first time in over 125 years.
Established in 1897, the Wynne Art prize began after a generous bequest was left by Richard Wynne, a trustee of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, after he passed away in 1895.
With a strong focus on landscape painting and sculpture, the Wynne Art Prize is awarded annually and boasts a substantial $50,000 cash prize. An open competition judged by the trustees of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, this contest aims to showcase the diversity of artistic talent in Australia and has become an integral part of the nation’s art scene.
Making its first tour since its inception over 125 years ago, the Wynne Art prize was presented at the Sydney Art Gallery in 2023. Now, in 2024, you can see it for yourself across four venues in regional NSW over the coming year – the Bank Art Museum Moree, the Mudgee Arts Precinct, the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery, and of course, the New England Regional Art Museum in Armidale.
Over the years, the prize has evolved and adapted to reflect the changes in artistic styles and practices, consistently celebrating the beauty and significance of the Australian landscape through the eyes of talented artists.
Walcha-based artist Angus Nivison is a nine-time finalist of the Wynne Art Prize and won the award in 2002 for his piece Remembering Rain, which measured in at a whopping 6.4 metres long.
“I started entering the Wynne for a number of reasons,” Angus said. “Firstly, in my earlier career, I was primarily a landscape painter, and secondly it was open to anyone to enter. The only stipulation was that you had to be an Australian resident; you didn’t have to be a professional artist.
“I have been fortunate to have been a finalist on nine occasions, and secured the top prize in 2002.
“It is always important when exhibitions from major galleries such as the Art Gallery of New South Wales tour the regions, as these shows can bring fresh ideas, visions and inspiration to the interior, a welcome thing indeed.”
Angus says that visitors to the Wynne Prize at NERAM can expect to be immersed in what constitutes landscape now, and you can expect to find works that will knock your socks off.
So, if art, landscape and history are up your alley, you’ll love the Wynne Art Prize held at NERAM. Kicking off this weekend, make sure you check the exhibition out before it ends on 7 April 2024.
To find out more, head on over to the New England Regional Art Gallery’s website.
Angus Nivison with his painting Remembering Rain, which won the 2002 Wynne Art Prize.
