Accomplished and aspiring artists from around the country are being invited to submit their works for judging and exhibition in the St Andrew’s War Memorial Hospital $25,000 ANZAC Art Prize.
The ANZAC Art Prize, themed ‘Healing after Conflict’, is a central element of St Andrew’s activities to commemorate the ANZAC Centenary — the occasion is of great significance to the Brisbane hospital because it was founded in memory of those who had served in the World Wars.
The competition will be judged by Dr Claire Baddeley, Senior Curator of Art at the Australian War Memorial. Former Governor-General Dame Quentin Bryce will announce the winner of the $25,000 Art Prize and open the exhibition of shortlisted works on 20 April 2015.
The ANZAC Art Prize is being co-ordinated by St Andrew’s gynaecologist Dr Philip Hall (pictured), who is a passionate art collector and honourary curator of the hospital’s art collection.
Dr Hall said artists from across Australia were being invited to submit works on the theme of ‘Healing after Conflict’, a topic central to the mission of the hospital that was established almost 60 years ago as a living memorial.
“War and its impact on individuals, families and communities has always been a rich, yet challenging subject for the artist and a way of engaging the community in what is a hugely significant and sensitive topic,” Dr Hall said.
“The ‘Healing after Conflict’ theme can be interpreted broadly; it is intended to signify the positives that can emerge after a period of conflict, visually depict the theme of healing and symbolise the place of art in the healing space.”
Works shortlisted for the prize will be exhibited in the public areas of this busy city hospital, forming the centrepiece of its ANZAC Centenary celebrations. The winning entry will take permanent pride of place in the hospital.*
Entries can be completed in oil, acrylic, watercolour, pastels, charcoal or ink. Entry is free; a completed entry form - available from http://standrewshospital.com.au/community/anzac-art-prize - and a photo of the work must be received by 31 March to be eligible for judging, which begins on 1 April.
Manager of Pastoral Care Services at St Andrew’s, Theo Masselos, said that St Andrew’s, as one of only three war memorial hospitals in Australia, was a “living memorial to those affected by war and of what it means to hold onto hope in the midst of brokenness”.
“As lives are saved with the latest in medical research and technology, and as wounds are healed with care and compassion, we are pleased to continue our unbreakable ties with the ANZAC tradition,” Mr Masselos said.
* Please note: the ANZAC Art Prize is an acquisitive award of the winning work.
Media contact: Colleen Clur, Compass Communications Group, (07) 3839 7605 or 0418 253 340