2018 “And then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” (Rev 21:1-2) Turner Galleries, Perth June 1 – 30 2018 Finalists Corinne Barton Julie Davidson Benedict Juniper Sonia Payes Bec Bigg-Wither Robert Davis Jennifer Keeler-Milne Rachel Peters Godfrey Blow Paul Drok Alice Linford Forte Julian Poon Bob Booth Kris-Ann Ehrich Jane Lyons Suzanne Rivera Libby Byrne Silvana Ferrario Aliesha Mafrici Brian Robinson Charlotte Campbell Thomas Gibbs Elizabeth Marruffo Laura Siryj Laura Castelijn Alicia Gorey Simon & Naomi McGrath Alexandra Spargo Mikaela Castledine Naomi Grant Antoinette McSharry Courtney Spence Madeleine Clear Beric Henderson Alan Morrison Nicole Steenhof Emilio Cresciani Ian Johnston Michael Vincent Murphy Monique Tippett The Mandorla Art Award for contemporary religious art is Australia’s most significant thematic Christian art prize, attracting some of the country’s finest artists since its 1985 inception. Mandorla (MAN-dor-la) is an Italian word Past winners include John Coburn (1996); meaning almond. It refers to an almond- Nigel Hewitt (1991, 1992); Brian McKay shaped halo or aura that we find around (1986, 2002); and Julie Dowling (2000) the images of Jesus or Mary in Christian art who was named the most collectible artist and particularly in icons. It represents the in Australia shortly after her win. Another 2018 Theme: light that emanates from a divine being, notable winner was the much beloved A New Heaven and a New Earth or one very close to a divine being. Run Western Australian artist, Michael Kane by a dedicated committee of volunteers Taylor (2004). Recent winners have been “Then I saw a new heaven and a new who oversee all aspects of the awards, the Megan Robert (2016), Paul Kaptein (2014) earth; for the first heaven and the first not-for-profit Mandorla does not receive and John Paul (2012). earth had passed away, and the sea was any Government funding but does have no more. 2And I saw the holy city, the new DGR status. It, therefore, relies entirely on Sponsorship and patronage from St John Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven sponsors and the good will of individuals of God Health Care, the Catholic, Anglican from God, prepared as a bride adorned for for its survival. and Uniting churches, and the Benedictine her husband” (Revelation 21:1-2). monks of New Norcia makes Mandorla a In addition to the main exhibition held truly ecumenical award. This theme expresses the vision of hope in Perth, a selection of finalists will be that we have in a time when it is easy to exhibited at the famous New Norcia see hopelessness. The writer of Revelation Museum and Art Gallery in the popular came from a tradition of envisioning not tourist destination of New Norcia, as St just a change within their own experience John of God Health Care campuses in the of history, but a totally new beginning Perth area. where seemingly impossible things would become real. This is an understanding of God that is at the heartof Christianity. Major sponsor Sponsors Uniting Church Catholic Archdiocese The Benedictine Anglican Diocese of Perth in the City of Perth Community of Holy Trinity Abbey, New Norcia St Joseph’s Subiaco Bible Society Friars Servants of Mary Australia (Servites) Australian Delegation Prizes The St John of God Health Care Prize People’s Choice Prize $25,000 acquisitive sponsored by The Benedictine Community of Holy Trinity Abbey New Norcia Highly Commended Prize $2,000 non-acquisitive sponsored by the Catholic Archdiocese of Perth $5,000 non-acquisitive Patricia Toohey Painting Award sponsored by St Joseph's Parish Subiaco Highly Commended Prize sponsored by the Anglican Diocese of Perth $5,000 non-acquisitive Thank You Throughout Christian history we have of St John of God Health Care for hosting Kevin Long for his support for this prize. embraced the opportunity to envisage our them for the day of judging and for all God in a material way because Jesus of their support. The winners have been Another long term, active member is Fr Nazareth fully revealed God to us. We are Jarrod McKenna (Cornerstone Church and Chris Ross and he has been our guiding able to see God through Jesus, the Christ, #LoveMakesAWay), Anne Ryan (Art Gallery theological light for many years and Son of God. Through Scripture, artists of NSW) and Dr Ric Spencer (Fremantle this year celebrated his 90th birthday. have found inspiration over the last two Arts Centre) and to them we offer our He and his community of Servite Friars millennia to enliven Christians through sincere thanks. Judging can be a difficult ably support our endeavours. Thanks images and sacred objects that lead us to task and the professionalism and diligence to Maureen Sellick who executes our a deeper understanding of God. Christian of all our judges is deeply respected. secretarial duties, and to Michael communities have sought artists to do this Anderson our Treasurer. These positions important work for them and Popes have Our gratitude to our patrons, sponsors are very important and we are very specifically encouraged this work. Pope and donors, in particular St John of God grateful. Five new members have added Francis declares that sacred artworks Health Care who have committed to being further depth and energy to our team. “bear witness to the spiritual aspirations the principal sponsors of the Mandorla Rachelle Dusting, a young and dynamic of humanity, the sublime mysteries of Art Award until 2020. This added security artist, is our minute secretary and very ably the Christian faith, and the quest of that has been most beneficial for us in our cares for our social media matters. Mary supreme beauty which has its source and development. Cassoti is a teacher and artist and has fulfilment in God.” been a very fruitful contributor, particularly Our gratitude to all the artists who entered in the relationships with schools and care The theme for the 2018 Award finds its the Award and gave their time, resources of marketing. Beth Harcourt is also a focus through the Book of Revelation and artistic insight to developing the teacher and artist and has taken on care (21:1-2). When all seems hopeless it is only theme of “a new heaven and a new earth”. of our volunteers which is a much needed God who can make everything new again. resource. Craig Collas from the Uniting This is at the heart of Christian life and 186 There are of course many people who Church in the City has been a valuable artists throughout Australia have worked work together to bring this Award to support in networking among Christian to bring us an image of what that could be fruition. Our Curator, Kristy Gough, communities and sourcing funding. like. This is the 19th Mandorla Art Award, has brought this 2018 Award together Patricia Oliver, also a teacher, has assisted the first being in 1985, and we are very beautifully. Her diligence and attention to in our sponsorship endeavours. I am proud to present it to you. Following the detail has been invaluable and she has grateful to them all for their active support month long exhibition in Turner Galleries a strengthened our committee and we are for the development of this Award. selection will travel to New Norcia for the grateful for her efforts. awarding of the People’s Choice Prize, and We also have a new web manager, then also to St John of God Health Care During the course of 2017 our original Paul Bui from Monk Media, and we are Campuses and St Mary’s Cathedral. founding member, Patricia Toohey, was delighted with the way he has refreshed seriously reduced in her health and so is our website and helped us move to a fully To prepare for this exhibition we have unable to work with us having been on online platform. some very hard working judges. Professor the committee since the first Award in Bill Loader, Claire Bushby and Janis 1985. Her presence is deeply missed. In Enjoy this wonderful Award! Nedela chose the 40 finalists from the her honour we have instituted a new prize, large number of entries. We are grateful the Patricia Toohey Painting Prize which Dr Angela McCarthy to them for the hard work of such careful has been sponsored by St Joseph’s Parish The Mandorla Art Award Committee selection of finalists and for the hospitality Subiaco. We are grateful to Monsignor Chairperson Claire Bushby Claire Bushby is an artist and curator based in Perth. In 2015, she completed a Master of Arts (Visual Arts) at Edith Cowan University investigating collective production and participatory practice. She works from her studio at Gotham Studios, Northbridge and has performed a wide range of roles in Perth arts organisations including Heathcote Museum & Gallery, Paper Mountain, His Majesty’s Theatre and Spectrum Project Space. In 2014 she completed an Asialink residency at Taipei Artist Village, Taiwan and she received DCA funding for a residency at Listhús in Ólafsfjörður, Northern Iceland. Claire has been included in exhibitions in Shanghai, Taipei, London, Sydney and Perth. From 2015-17 she was a Co-Director of Paper Mountain (Artist Run Initiative) in Northbridge and is currently Coordinator of Spectrum Project Space at Edith Cowan University, Curator for the Uniting Church in the City’s annual Stations of the Cross exhibition and an Artsource WA Board member. Selection Panel Professor Bill Loader Janis Nedela Bill is Emeritus Professor of New Testament at Murdoch A Co-Director of Gallery East Art Services since 1993, University, Extraordinary Professor at North-West Jánis served on the curatorial staff of the Art Gallery of University, South Africa, a Minister of the UCA and a WA for 14 years to 1993.