Naked & Nude Art Prize 2023
Naked & Nude Art Prize 2023
Exhibition dates 2 September - 15 October
Summer Aldis has won the Naked & Nude Art Prize 2023 for ‘Companion II', a powerful and aesthetically alluring work of art which depicts a softly rendered body suspended and draped in fabric.
Announcing ‘Companion II' as the winner, guest judge, Lauretta Morton OAM, Director of Newcastle Art Gallery commented that she found herself "continually lured back to Summer Aldis’s large scale drawing.
“Through the artists technically distilled and precise practice of drawing with graphite on paper it explores thematic elements such as time, memory, symbology, light and dark and reflects an artist whose attention to detail and precision is second to none.”
Lauretta also highly commended an additional work – ‘Languid Line 2’ (oil on linen) by Jenny Rodgerson.
Presented in partnership with the Friends of the Manning Regional Art Gallery, the ‘Naked & Nude Art Prize’ is the only art award of its kind in Australia and attracts entries from artists at all stages of their careers and working in all mediums. This year the prize pool totals $37,000, with a major acquisitive Prize of $35,000.
The theme ‘Naked & Nude’ is an evocative platform for creative inspiration, and artists delve into representations of the human form. With a history dating back to ancient times across many cultures, the exposed human figure is one the most enduring themes in the visual arts and remains relevant to artists across all disciplines. Naked & Nude refers to two things: firstly, the great tradition of the Nude: a person who is bare, with no covering or decoration. Secondly, a wider definition: something that is revealed, laid bare, unmasked or vulnerable.
The biennial Naked & Nude Art Prize (previously the Manning Art Prize: Naked & Nude) commenced in 1990 with entries open to Australian artists. The Art Prize is a partnership between Friends of the Manning Regional Art Gallery and the Manning Regional Art Gallery. After 33 years, the Naked & Nude Art Prize has become a prestigious national event on the Australian Arts Calendar and is open to artists in a variety of mediums. The winning entry is acquired by the Friends and donated to the Manning Regional Art Gallery’s permanent collection.
Without the generous gifts from all our supporters, the Friends of the Manning Regional Art Gallery could not present the Naked & Nude Art Prize to the community of the Mid North Coast. For more information and to enter, please go to the Friends of the Manning Regional Art Gallery Website, here
We are excited to announce Lauretta Morton OAM, the Director of Newcastle Art Gallery will be this year's judge. The finalists are announced on Friday 21 July and the winner will be announced at the Official opening on September 2, 6:30pm.
Lauretta Morton OAM - Director of Newcastle Art Gallery
With over 35 years’ experience in the Visual Arts and Creative Industries sectors, Lauretta is the first female Director in Newcastle Art Gallery's 66-year history. Her Directorship and artistic, curatorial leadership has achieved the highest audience participation in over a decade to award-winning nationally and internationally recognised exhibitions.
Securing record growth in benefaction and donations to the City of Newcastle’s $126M collection of over 7,000 works of art, Lauretta is a highly respected arts advocate committed to supporting the broader Gallery and Museum profession through multiple Industry Boards, Committees and Mentorship. Lauretta was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in the 2022 Australia Day Honours in recognition of her 'outstanding and meritorious service' to the museums and galleries sector.
You can find an online zine of the catalogue here
Pricelist here(PDF, 45KB)