Super chuffed to win Highly Commended with my work ‘Alienated Tarago Landscape’ sponsored by curator and artist Julia Martin at the National Paddington Art Prize for Australian Landscape last night. What a crowd! Such an incredible exhibition of Australian talent you must get out to see.
Heartfelt thanks goes out to Paddington Art Prize sponsors Chris Antico and Marlene Antico AOM founder and co-sponsor. Also big thanks to Pia Antico for all her help assisting the organisation of such a mammoth event. Thank you to Julia Martin for being so fond of my work. Her lovely words can be found in the finalist announcement speeches.
Thank you also to the esteemed judges Jackie Dunn (Senior Curator of Exhibitions AGNSW, Ian Grant (artist) and Sasha Grishin AM, FAHA Emeritus Professor ANU
And lastly, thank you to lovely Rebecca Brady from Rathenart Printing who assisted me in the reproduction of my work for my creation.
PLEASE JOIN ME along with the other National finalists on Saturday October 12th 2-3pm Art Leven Gallery Redfern with the incredible Radio presenter & co-host and producer of TV program Antiques Roadshow DownUnder Claudia Chan Shaw who is hosting selected winners and finalists in conversation at the Gallery. The artist talk will also be live-streamed on socials.
Hope to see you there!
NATIONAL FINALIST - PADDINGTON ART PRIZE - 2024
Couldn’t be more thrilled to be one of 42 selected finalists from a record response to the call for entries from across Australia in the 2024 Paddington Art Prize with my work ‘Alienated Tarago Landscape’.
The Paddington Art Prize principally sponsored by Chris Antico, Founded and Co-Sponsored by Marlene Antico AOM now in its 21st year, has become Australia’s preeminent landscape prize of unmatched calibre. This is largely due to Marlene's deliberate selection of independent judges, each with decades of experience and a significant contribution to the Australian arts.
Each year the prize aims to discover new talents and invigorate the art market with iconic styles that reflect Australia’s topography and “cultural ethos.” A family-run initiative, the connectedness extends to finalists and winners who become life-long members with subsequent career highlights celebrated and shared online.
The $30,000 Paddington Art Prize Exhibition of National Finalists for a painting inspired by the Australian Landscape will officially be opened on Thursday October 10th at 6-8pm, Art Leven Gallery, 17 Thurlow St, Redfern NSW at 6-8pm. With exhibition continuing until the October 20th 2024 11am-5pm with all works for sale both online and at the exhibition.
I would like to thank the very esteemed judging panel Jackie Dunn Senior Curator of Exhibitions at AGNSW, Australian art historian, art critic and curator Emeritus Professor ANU Sasha Grishin AM, FAHA and prominent Australian artist Ian Grant for selecting my work amidst this very fine list of National Finalists.
The Online Exhibition of National Finalists is currently viewable on our website
✳ For all Admin & Sales Enquiries Contact info@paddingtonartprize.com.au
‘Alienated Tarago Landscape’, 167cm x 127cm, Hand painted archival pigment print, mixed media and photomontage on cotton rag.
WINNER 'HIGHLY COMMENDED' - PADDINGTON ART PRIZE 2021
So proud to have have won ‘Highly Commended’ in this year’s Paddington Art Prize for my work ‘Bush Embrace - Pulpit Rock Bundanon’ selected by artist/curator Julia Martin.
Big Congratulations to all the finalists and other winners, especially winner of the Paddington Art prize Sophie Cape. Thank you to the judges artist and winner of the 2017 Paddington Art Prize Tim Allen, Director and CEO of the National Art School Steve Alderton and Senior Curator at Manly Art Gallery & Museum Katherine Roberts.
Special heartfelt thanks to Marlene Antico Founder and Principal Sponsor of the Paddington Art Prize, Chris Antico, Pia Antico, Defiance Gallery other affiliated sponsors and the lovely Andrew Treloar for their generosity, kindness and support during the exhibition and award presentation. Their continual support for the arts and artists is undoubtedly treasured and valued.
The exhibition of National finalists will continue at Defiance Gallery from Friday 15 October to Sunday 24 October 2021 (11am – 5pm). See winners and finalists here
(Left to right artists) Overall Winner Sophie Cape, Louisa Chircop and Pamela Honeyfield.
Chris Antico Principal Co-Sponsor and Louisa Chircop Winner of ‘Highly Commended’ Paddington Art Prize sponsored by artist/curator Julia Martin.
FINALIST - PADDINGTON ART PRIZE 2021
What an honour to be selected as a finalist amongst such an amazing line up of Australian artists with my work ‘Bush Embrace - Pulpit Rock Bundanon’ in this year’s Paddington Art Prize. The exhibition of national finalists will be exhibited at Defiance Gallery Paddington Sydney and the winners will be announced on Thursday 14 October 2021 with the exhibition open from the 15th October until to Sunday 24 October 2021 .
Congratulations to all the finalists! and a huge thank you to the highIy esteemed panel of judges Katherine Roberts Senior Curator at Manly Art Gallery & Museum, Tim Allen Visual Artist and Winner of the 2017 Paddington Art Prize and Steven Alderton Director and CEO of the National Art School for selecting my work. I cannot wait to see their selection.
See selected finalists here
The Paddington Art Prize is a $30,000 National acquisitive prize, awarded annually for a painting inspired by the Australian landscape. Established in 2004 by Arts Patron, Marlene Antico OAM, this National prize takes its place among the country’s most lucrative and highly coveted painting prizes.
The prize encourages the interpretation of the landscape as a significant contemporary genre, its long tradition in Australian painting as a key contributor to our national ethos, and is a positive initiative in private patronage of the arts in Australia.
Marlene Antico OAM, created the Prize in order to assist with the monetary difficulties that often impede artists from showcasing their works. As an art student, gallery owner and volunteer guide at the AGNSW for over 10 years, she has underscored her commitment to supporting contemporary Australian artists, aware, of the financial concerns that prevent many artists from devoting themselves entirely to their art practice.
In 2017, Chris Antico, Marlene’s son joined as Principal Co-sponsor of the prize. The Paddington Art Prize appreciates the ongoing generosity of the following key sponsors and supporters: Marlene Antico OAM, Chris Antico, UNSW Art & Design, The Sydney Art Store, Sofala Cottage, Charvin Oils, Lucio’s Italian Restaurant, Defiance Gallery, Nock Art Foundation, Tracey Deep Floral Sculptures, Valiant Hire and Woollahra Municipal Council.
‘Bush Embrace - Pulpit Rock Bundanon’, Mixed media and photomontage on watercolour paper, 150cm x 100cm
Bush Embrace is about the Australian landscape during the pandemic. The solitude and the longing for company and simple contact. Like giving a hug (something we’ve all missed). This interplay of mixed media with a subconscious painting approach exposes life and landscape at its most bittersweet.
UPCOMING! 'TALKING WITH PAINTERS' PODCAST EPISODE 109 BY MARIA STOLJAR
My Archibald subject this year is my amazing artist friend Filippa Buttitta. We’ve just been interviewed by Maria Stoljar from ‘Talking with Painters’ podcast series Episode 109 chatting about our Archibald Prize entries. Her first ever double podcast interview coming up next week.
Stay tuned for when it drops!
FINALIST - 2020 PADDINGTON ART PRIZE
What an honour to be selected as a finalist in this year’s Paddington Art Prize with my work ‘In Love and War -Archibald Fountain Hyde Park’ amongst such an amazing line up of Australian artists. The exhibition of national finalists will be exhibited at Defiance Gallery Paddington Sydney and the winners will be announced on Thursday 29th October 2020. Congratulations to all the finalists! and a huge thank you to the highIy esteemed panel of judges Ross Laurie, Rhonda Davis and Jeanette Siebols for selecting my work. I cannot wait to see their selection.
See selected finalists here
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The Paddington Art Prize is a $30,000 National acquisitive prize, awarded annually for a painting inspired by the Australian landscape. Established in 2004 by Arts Patron, Marlene Antico OAM, this National prize takes its place among the country’s most lucrative and highly coveted painting prizes.
The prize encourages the interpretation of the landscape as a significant contemporary genre, its long tradition in Australian painting as a key contributor to our national ethos, and is a positive initiative in private patronage of the arts in Australia.
Marlene Antico OAM, created the Prize in order to assist with the monetary difficulties that often impede artists from showcasing their works. As an art student, gallery owner and volunteer guide at the AGNSW for over 10 years, she has underscored her commitment to supporting contemporary Australian artists, aware, of the financial concerns that prevent many artists from devoting themselves entirely to their art practice.
In 2017, Chris Antico, Marlene’s son joined as Principal Co-sponsor of the prize. The Paddington Art Prize appreciates the ongoing generosity of the following key sponsors and supporters: Marlene Antico OAM, Chris Antico, UNSW Art & Design, The Sydney Art Store, Sofala Cottage, Charvin Oils, Lucio’s Italian Restaurant, Defiance Gallery, Nock Art Foundation, Tracey Deep Floral Sculptures, Valiant Hire and Woollahra Municipal Council.
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A $30,000 Annual National Acquisitive Prize for a painting inspired by
the Australian Landscape
Sponsored by Marlene Antico OAM.
We also have five non-acquisitive prizes listed below:
HONOURABLE MENTION PRIZE
a $3,000 prize sponsored by Chris Antico (Co-Principal Sponsor)
HIGHLY COMMENDED PRIZE
$1,000 prize
DEFIANCE GALLERY AWARD
Two artists selected from the 2020 submissions will be chosen by Directors Campbell Robertson-Swann & Lauren Harvey, and offered an exhibition with Defiance Gallery at Mary Place, Sydney in 2021.
NOCK ART FOUNDATION PRIZE
Michael Nock will offer the TWO above mentioned selected artists a 3 week Residency at “Giverny”, Queenstown, New Zealand. With artist studios and airfares included.
UNSW ART & DESIGN PRIZE
will offer a chosen artist the opportunity to create a limited edition print
with Master Printer, Michael Kempson.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD
$1,000 gift certificate from Theresa Sarjeant of Fine Art Imaging
‘In Love and War - Archibald Fountain Hyde Park’ 2020, Mixed media and photomontage on Saunders Waterford Paper, 150cm x 100cm
Parks are landscapes. They often feature structures that tell narratives about the built history of our landscape. With the looming 100 year anniversary of the Archibald Prize I painted the famous Archibald Fountain in the iconic Hyde Park. It’s location, a junction point called ‘Birubi Circle’.
UPCOMING! 'TALKING WITH PAINTERS' AUSTRALIAN PODCAST SERIES BY MARIA STOLJAR
I’m thrilled and honoured to be invited to talk on Maria Stoljar’s ‘Talking with Painters’ Australian podcast series very soon. The podcast is full of the personal stories of the painters of Australia – leading, mid-career and emerging – not only as to how they live and work as artists, but how they became an artist in the first place, the highs and lows and what they’re working on now.
In 2020 the podcast was listed in British auction house Christie’s ‘Best art-world podcasts’ and frequently appears at the top of the Apple Podcasts Australian Visual Arts charts. It has also been recommended by Art Almanac and featured in Zart Art magazine.
I’ve long been a fan of this very popular podcast series, so it’s a bit surreal to be asked for an interview.
Follow ‘Talking with Painters’ on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Hope you enjoy listening!
Listen to the podcast here.
DR JULIE KEYS - ACCLAIMED AUSTRALIAN AUTHOR REVIEWS 'COME SHOWER WITH ME'
Feeling extremely humbled and privileged to have struck up a wonderful friendship with the amazing Australian author Julie Keys, whose debut novel The Artist's Portrait which was shortlisted for The Richell Prize for Emerging Writers in 2017 and published by Hachett Australia is going gangbusters. Julie became fascinated by my art and my journey as an artist and attended my exhibition Come Shower With Me currently on at The SHAC Robertson NSW. She was kind enough to put pen to paper and write a review. Read about it here.
Louisa Chircop – Come shower with me
I met Louisa on Instagram. She followed me. I followed her back. She posted photos of artwork. Hers. Striking images with elements of the surreal that centred on scenes of her showering. I pressed the screen to get a closer look. But those phones, they’re just not big enough.
I’d developed a fascination for visual arts. This happened while I was doing background research for a novel I was writing. I became absorbed – went to exhibitions, listened to talks, sat in on workshops, poured myself into textures and scents and images, taking in the debates and controversy on what made art and artists great, all the while wondering if I was really getting it. That whole visceral reaction people talked about eluded me. I felt distant, aloof until I came across something of Rothko’s from the 1930’s; streamlined bodies standing on a subway their heads curved forward like hooks. My chest thumped. I sucked in a breath. The next time was over a painting by Vida Lahey.
Half a dozen years later I was trying to get a better look at Louisa’s work on a dodgy phone beneath poor lighting. Something had caught my attention. I was curious. The paintings, it turned out, were part of an exhibition. Come shower with me. I DM’ed Louisa.
I have not lost that awkward, slightly uncomfortable feel of going to an exhibition and of being around art. Not that I want things too sweet. I crave art that widens my eyes, gives me that cold shiver, makes me want to look. The gallery was light and warm. I relaxed. It was an easy space to be in and Louisa’s work encouraged me to stand closer, stand further away, scrunch my eyes, hold out my hand, see everything.
Showering is mostly a solo activity for me, a sanctuary, a place of contemplation. But there I was being invited to join Louisa in that private moment when thoughts disassembled, dripped from your hair and fingers and swirled around your skin, ingesting body parts with tarry thick ideas before they disappeared down the plughole if you didn’t get hold of them. I walked the shape of a U in the gallery absorbing pieces of Louisa’s gaze, bold fragments, exchanging energy in my own conversation with each canvas, craning my neck for one last look before I moved onto the next one.
Then, I found the artist, the flesh and blood one. This was the first time Louisa and I had met in real life. There were no profound questions from me. My head was full of thoughts and impressions and sensations that I needed to process. The questions would come later – after I’d had time to stew on it. What I did instead was position Louisa in front of the largest canvas, took photos then got someone to take photos of the two of us together, tourist style – post shower. And for some reason that seemed exactly the right thing to do.
Louisa Chircop – Come shower with me
The SHAC, Robertson
February 22nd to March 16th
SHORTLISTED FOR THE MUD LITERARY PRIZE 2020. A story about art, murder, and making your place in history.
'An intriguing read with compelling descriptions of early 20th-century Sydney in all its squalor, debauchery and fascinating historical detail.' Who Weekly
Read More about Julie Keys here.
'COME SHOWER WITH ME' - SOLO EXHIBITION OPENING 22nd FEB 2020 @shac_robertson
Pen in the Date!…Please join me at the opening of my solo exhibition 'Come Shower with Me' at the SHAC (Southern Highlands Artisans Collective) in Robertson in the wonderful community of the Southern Highlands - which we all know has recently been through a terrible period of the recent bushfires. It's a great opportunity to visit the area, and support the local businesses doing it tough (from buying a coffee to booking a place to stay for the weekend) like at the Robertson Hotel who are proud sponsors of The SHAC. Alternatively join me at Robertson Pub for a drink and an early dinner after the show.
Exhibition to be officially opened by award-winning Sydney Artist Halinka Orszulok Saturday 22nd February 2020 at 2pm at The SHAC (NEXT TO THE BIG POTATO) Exhibition continues and closes Monday March 6th 2020 at 4pm
PLEASE NOTE: the Official opening with drinks and opening address by award winning artist Halinka Orszulok will be Sat 22nd Feb 2020, However the exhibition will be open to the public from Friday 21st Feb 2020 if you happen to be already in the area.
The event is free but please RSVP here to give us an idea with numbers.
Drinks and nibbles provided.
If you can't make the opening you are welcome to drop in Gallery hours are Friday-Monday 10am-4pm
All works for sale. Works will also be available for purchase in an online catalogue coming soon.
enquiries@theshac.com.au
Enquiries: Patsy Peacock (President)
patsy@theshac.com.au
0614 0299 8644
ABOUT THE EXHIBITION
‘Come shower with me’ invites viewers into the intimate world of Sydney based artist Louisa Chircop. As the title of her exhibition suggests, Chircop not only utilises the idea of the history of women’s activity in the bathroom but also uses the concept of showering to parallel her creative process in an ode to free association and surrealism, similarly the way ideas come to mind in the shower.
Through Chircop’s experience and interest in art history and psychological phenomenons, she explores the human condition creating images that are illicit in nature, rendered with complex meaning and hints of the shadow self. Chance encounters are played out repositioning women in art history whilst simultaneously positioning herself in relation to history, creating a metaphorical allegory about our present time.
Chircop is comfortable as chameleon, every image is a reconstruct of thought drawn from a stream of subconscious detritus into the reservoir of her conscious awakening. She creates with the inquisitive mind of an octopus foraging through its shady garden on the ocean floor. Every work, a token re-cleansing of the body, mind and spirit is an attempt to navigate existential pathways through the world resurrecting the female image from the grave of western art.
SEMI FINALIST - 2019 DOUG MORAN NATIONAL PORTRAIT PRIZE
I’m over the moon and so grateful to make it to the semi finalists for the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize 2019. What an honour to be selected amongst this fine bunch of Australian talent. The judges of the 2019 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize are artist and 2013 DMNPP winner Nigel Milsom, Director of the Ian Potter Museum of Art at the University of Melbourne, Kelly Gellatly, and Peter Moran, Managing Director of the Moran Health Care Group. Peter’s parents Greta and Doug Moran established the Moran Arts Foundation in 1988. (See Judges comments below).
Judge Nigel Misom: “If portraiture is one of the means used to communicate our individuality, connection to each other, and the world around us, look no further than the 2019 Doug Moran National Portrait Prize Semi-Finalists. The variety and scope of the selected portraits are vast, yet they all seem to share a commonality, that is, the painter and subject have united to share in the ‘magic’ of creativity.”
Judge Kelly Gellatly: “While the sheer volume of entries to this year’s Doug Moran Portrait Prize was initially overwhelming, it was a privilege to experience such a breadth of contemporary portraiture and to be able to get a glimpse into how some of Australia’s most talented artists are currently exploring, and pushing, the genre. For the judges, the shortlisted artists collectively demonstrate the way in which portraiture can and should be much more than the sheer skill of capturing of a likeness. The power of portraiture instead manifests from the almost intangible coming together of artist and subject; a tension or ‘rub’ that encourages the viewer to remain with a work and to return to it time and again, well beyond the initial moment of recognising the subject.”
The Doug Moran National Portrait Prize…
Founded by Doug & Greta Moran and family in 1988, the Doug Moran National Portrait Prize (DMNPP) is an annual Australian portrait painting prize supporting Australian artists. The prize has encouraged both excellence and creativity in contemporary Australian portraiture by asking artists to interpret the look and personality of a chosen sitter, either unknown or well known. With a first prize of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars ($150,000) it is Australia’s richest art prize.
Finalists announced - 16 Oct
CURATED EXHIBITION - 'EVERYDAY MADONNA' CASULA POWERHOUSE ARTS CENTRE
Very happy to be included in this exhibition at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre with works featured from over the last five years sourced from private collections. Exhibition launch event on Saturday 18 May (2-4pm) All Welcome.
"Drawing from iconic and classical images of the Madonna and Child (created mostly by men), artists in Everyday Madonna respond to the ideas of motherhood from their own perspective”.
18 May 2019 - 30 Jun 2019 | 9.00am - 4.00pm
Everyday Madonna features works by these artists: Eddie Abd, Linda Brescia, Louisa Chircop, Karla Dickens, Mona Ibrahim, Nicole Monks, Susan O’Doherty, Pamela Rodoreda, Marikit Santiago, Rokeya Sultana.
COMING UP - INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION 'CONNEXIONS SILENCIEUSES' EYGALIÈRES, FRANCE
I’m very excited to be heading back to Eygalières in Provence France this month. After having finished a residency that I won with NG Art Creative Residency Program last November championed by the wonderful Nicky Ginsberg. I’m finally making the pilgrimage back to where it all started for the opening and vernissage of ‘Connexions Silencieuses’ an International Group Exhibition of artists from around the globe. I’m very proud to be showing amongst an amazing cohort of International talent including other wonderful fellow Australian artists and will be giving an artist talk as part of their public programs on the 5th of May 4-5pm at the 800 year old Elise Saint Laurent where the exhibition will be staged. If you are in France or heading to Provence you are very welcome to attend the opening and talks. Bisous!
Credit: Matthew Robertson
RECIPIENT - Georges River Council Artist-in-Residence 2020
It’s still some time away but I’m very pleased to have been recently awarded this fabulous artist residency with Hurstville Museum and Gallery for Carrs Park Cottage to create work for my next upcoming project in 2020. Thank you so much to Hurstville Museum and Gallery and Georges River Council for this fantastic opportunity. See more
ARCHIBALD SITTING 2018 - JUZ KITSON
It's that time of year again where I like to challenge myself by taking on a portrait. A portrait for me is more than a mere representation of the sitter's appearance, expression or simple gestures of their biography. A portrait articulates the psyche between the sitter and the artist, presenting an opportunity to reveal the inner workings of the subject's mind through the artist's own intimate thoughts on life and doubt through an exploration of their existential being. Heartfelt thanks goes to Juz Kitson one of Australia's best contemporary artists for allowing me delve into her as a subject and for sitting for me for this painting titled 'Juz Kitson Imitating Venus'. I've been so privileged to be able to paint her.
'Juz Kitson Imitating Venus' oil on canvas, 220cm x 167cm, 2018