The biennial Footscray Art Prize has unveiled the 2023 shortlist, with 43 artworks selected to be exhibited.
Over 500 submissions were submitted from artists across Australia as well as one internationally-based creative.
The 43 artworks shortlisted go in the running to win the main prize, as well as 113 works from the young artist categories.
The art will be exhibited at Footscray Community Arts from Saturday, July 15, to Sunday, September 17.
Shortlisted artists go into the running for a total cash prize pool of $33,000 including the coveted $20,000 main prize, which has doubled this year.
The Main Prize, Local Acquisition Prize ($10,000), Residency Artist Prize ($2000) and Young Artists Prize for primary students ($500) and secondary students ($500) will be announced at the exhibition opening on Saturday, July 15.
The judging panel, comprising University of Melbourne Art Museum associate director Charlotte Day, artist and curator Phuong Ngo and National Gallery of Victoria’s First Nations art curator, Shonae Hobson, selected the shortlisted works.
Ms Day said it was inspiring and reassuring to see so many entries after a couple of tough years for creative practitioners.
“What a privilege to look at so much new work and breadth of practices and concerns and to do so together with Phuong, Shonae and with the fantastic support of the Footscray Art Prize team,” she said
“The works span multiple platforms and disciplines representing a fascinating portrayal of contemporary creative practice in Australia as well as the artists who produce them.”
Previous Footscray Community Arts Artist in Residence Foni Salvatore’s oil painting of a South Sudanese woman and Nicholas Burridge’s sculpture Explosive Forming called Adau, will be featured in the exhibition.
Full list: www.footscrayartprize.com/news/2023shortlist
