media release Media contact: Penny Whitehead | T: 03 5229 3645 | E: [email protected]

Carolyn Hawkins Trashed (detail) 2015 Shortlist announced— etching; edition 3/8 2017 acquisitive Courtesy of the artist print awards 12 August to 8 October 2017 Geelong Gallery Free entry—Open daily 10am to 5pm

Official announcement: Friday 18 August, 6.00pm Please contact Penny Whitehead to arrange a media pass for the official announcements of the 2017 Geelong acquisitive print awards. RSVP essential: [email protected]

Geelong Gallery is delighted to announce that 38 works by 39 leading and emerging Australian artists have been shortlisted for the 2017 Geelong acquisitive print awards. Showcasing diverse contemporary Australian practice, the acquisitive awards and biennial exhibition will feature works by Benjamin Armstrong, Rosalind Atkins, Elizabeth Banfield, G.W Bot, Laura Castell, Jock Clutterbuck, Marian Crawford, Ben Fennessy, Dianne Fogwell, Peter Garnick, Kaye Green, Sue Grossman, Andrew Gunnell, Gracia Haby and Louise Jennison, Robert Hague, Rew Hanks, Carolyn Hawkins, Clare Humphries, Anita Iacovella, Michael Kempson, Deborah Klein, Jo Langley, Marion Manifold, Megan McPherson, David Nixon, Jiri Tibor Novak, Sharron Okines, Glenda Orr, Janet Parker-Smith, Jim Pavlidis, Stieg Persson, Ben Rak, Brian Robinson, Kati Thamo, Bridgit Thomas, Vanessa Wallace, Halina Wolski and Joel Wolter. 1 of 2

Little Malop Street Geelong VIC 3220 | T: 03 5229 3645 | Free entry Open daily 10am – 5pm www.geelonggallery.org.au The exhibition of selected prints will be held at the Geelong Gallery from 12 August to 8 October 2017, from which acquisitions totalling $8,500 will be made including: — the Geelong acquisitive print award of $5,000 — the Ursula Hoff Institute award of $3,500 — additional acquisitions up to $3,000

Furthermore, one additional artist will be selected by the judging panel and invited to take up a 5-day printmaking residency at Queenscliff Gallery and Workshop (QG&W). The prize-winning prints and additional acquisitions will be announced at the official opening of the exhibition on Friday 18 August (by invitation). Selected from hundreds of entries from around , the 38 shortlisted works for the 2017 Geelong acquisitive print awards reveal the technical and thematic diversity of contemporary printmaking practice. This year’s exhibition will include works by some of the nation’s most talented established and younger generation artists along with a number of artists from the Geelong, Bellarine and Surf Coast regions. The selection panel for the 2017 Geelong acquisitive print awards includes Jason Smith (Director, Geelong Gallery) and Lisa Sullivan (Curator, Geelong Gallery) along with guest judge, Anne Virgo OAM (Director, Australian Print Workshop). The Gallery wishes to thank the Ursula Hoff Institute (UHI), Louise Box, the estate of Colin Holden and Queenscliff Gallery and Workshop for generously sponsoring this signature event, which assists with the development of the Gallery’s collection while fostering contemporary Australian printmaking practice in general. Background The 2017 Geelong acquisitive print awards continues a long tradition of prize exhibitions staged by the Geelong Gallery as well as a commitment to the acquisition and display of prints. The Geelong acquisitive print awards enables the Gallery to acquire a selection of shortlisted works for its nationally significant collection. Artists represented in the collection through earlier awards include: Tate Adams, Raymond Arnold, Rosalind Atkins, , Pat Brassington, Raymond Carter, Sophie Cape, David Frazer, Rona Green, Rew Hanks, Tim Jones, Martin King, Deborah Klein, Bruce Latimer, Bea Maddock, Marion Manifold, eX de Medici, Laurie Nona, Travis Paterson, Lisa Roet, John Ryrie, Heather Shimmen, Julia Silvester and Imants Tillers, amongst others.

Important dates The prize-winning prints and additional acquisitions will be announced at the official opening of the2017 Geelong acquisitive print awards on Friday 18 August (by invitation). The exhibition of shortlisted works will be on display at Geelong Gallery from 12 August to 8 October. Geelong Gallery is open daily from 10am–5pm. Admission is free.

Media contact For further information or to request images, please contact: Penny Whitehead Deputy Director Geelong Gallery

Exhibition sponsors Government partners

The Estate of Colin Holden Louise Box

Geelong Gallery is supported by the Victoria Government through Creative Victoria 2 of 2 Media contact: Penny Whitehead | T: 03 5229 3645 | E: [email protected]

55 Little Malop Street Geelong VIC 3220 | T: 03 5229 3645 | Free entry Open daily 10am – 5pm www.geelonggallery.org.au