Dobell Drawing Prize #23
The Dobell Drawing Prize is an unparalleled celebration of drawing technique and innovation. This National Art School touring exhibition showcases 46 of the 64 finalists from the 2023 Prize and includes Jane Grealey’s winning work. Presenting a range of material approaches – from video and to ash, charcoal, ink and watercolour – the exhibition demonstrates the remarkable vitality and scope of contemporary Australian drawing.
Exhibiting artists: Tamsin Ainslie, Margaret Ambridge, Maree Azzopardi, John Bokor, Godwin Bradbeer, Liz Bradshaw, Nicki Brancatisano, Cath Brophy, Armando Chant, Erin Coates, Clare Delaney, Nic Fern, Angus Fisher, Ashley Frost, Joanna Gambotto, Chris Gentle, Jane Grealy, S.C. Grennan, Sylvia Griffin, Simon Harris, Iluwanti Ken, Sandra Kiris, Alison Mackay, Liam Nunan, Daniel O’Toole, Toshiko Oiyama, Martin John Oldfield, Anastasia Parmson, Lori Pensini, Nic Plowman, Ross Potter, Lucy Ray, Jeff Rigby, Julie Rrap, Robert Shepherd, Ben Soedradjit, Jayanto Tan, Remnim Alexander Tayco, Michael Terkildsen, Luke Thurgate, Jennifer Tighe, Floria Tosca, Teo Treloar, Yvette Tziallas, Bronwyn Van De Graaff, and Gary Warner.
FREE Public Programs
Live drawing performance, Friday 9 May (5:30-7:30pm), Saturday 10 May (10am-2pm), Monday 12 May (10am-5pm): A highlight of the launch event will be a live drawing performance by exhibiting artist Luke Thurgate. Luke took a bold approach by entering a wall drawing into the prize and he’s been travelling with the exhibition to install his piece directly onto the walls at each venue. At SECCA, Luke will be recreating his work – I believe in you – live during the opening night and over the first few days of the show. Visitors will have the unique opportunity to observe Luke in action and gain insight into his masterful drawing techniques.
Artist talk – Luke Thurgate, Monday 12 May 1pm. For more information, and to register your attendance, click here.
About the Prize
William Dobell’s love of drawing was recognised in 1993 when the Sir William Dobell Art Foundation (SWDAF) initiated a drawing prize in his name at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. For twenty years, the annual Dobell Prize for Drawing encouraged excellence in drawing and draughtsmanship among Australian artists. Building on the legacy of this respected award, the National Art School partnered with the SWDAF in 2019 to produce the biennial Dobell Drawing Prize. This new competition preserves an important attribute of the original prize, by not stipulating what a drawing is in the terms and conditions of entry. This allows definitions of drawing to shift and evolve with each exhibition, depending on the entries of the artists and the perspectives of the judges. The Dobell Drawing Prize #23 – the 23rd exhibition in the Prize’s storied history – continues this tradition of fostering conversations around the changing role of drawing within contemporary art practice. The Dobell Drawing Prize #23 judges, artist Catherine O’Donnell (also a previous Dobell Drawing Prize finalist), Paula Latos-Valier from the Sir William Dobell Art Foundation and National Art School Gallery Manager and Senior Curator Katrina Cashman, selected 64 finalists out of a record 1,062 entries.
Education Kit
An education resource has been developed to accompany the exhibition. It is written in line with the years 7–10 Visual Arts Syllabus and the Higher School Certificate Visual Arts Syllabus, as a guide to exploring the exhibition or as a pre/post visit resource. Tertiary students and the general public may also find the resource useful. Teachers can use this resource to engage students in a critical appreciation of contemporary drawing. The resource encourages students to consider a range of expressive forms, themes, and genres which will inform their own artmaking.
Click here to download the education kit.
