In its fourth iteration, the $20,000 Guirguis New Art Prize inspired and surprised audiences with a bold mix and unique snapshot of Australian art created by artists selected from the Northern Territory, Queensland, Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania.
Reflecting a myriad of historical and contemporary influences, artists expressed ideas ranging from Australian cultural and social history, self-portraiture, identity and transformation and theories surrounding the fourth dimension through diverse media, including sculpture, video, painting, textiles, printmaking, ceramics and installation.
In 2019, GNAP was awarded to Melbourne-based artist Laresa Kosloff for her short film, La Perruque, 2018, in front of a capacity crowd at the formal exhibition opening at the Art Gallery of Ballarat on Friday 5 April 2019.
La Perruque, meaning 'wearing the wig' was created using commercial stock footage shot for corporate advertising and available online to build a fictional tale about an office worker secretly trying to write a novel during work hours.
GNAP19 judge, Melissa Keys, curator, Buxton Contemporary, Melbourne said, " the short film reflects Laresa Kosloff's sensitivity, humour and intelligence. In her work Kosloff creates a narrative in which an office worker is secretly writing an absurd multi-dimensional novel, in which his colleagues are the inspiration for his characters, including a time travelling 'con artist' who invests other people's money in future markets with prior knowledge of the outcomes."
GNAP19 finalists included; Benjamin Armstrong (VIC), Amanda Davies (TAS), Janet Fieldhouse (QLD), Caroline Garcia (NSW), Marie Hagerty (ACT), Matt Hinkley (VIC), Naomi Hobson (QLD), Grace Lillian Lee (QLD), Shirley Macnamara (QLD), Karen Mills (NT), Claudia Moodoonuthi (QLD), Raquel Ormella (ACT), Nicola Smith (NSW), Neridah Stockley (NT) and Tricky Walsh (TAS). Read more about the artists.
Administered by Federation University Australia, GNAP19 was generously sponsored by local surgeon and philanthropist Mr Mark Guirguis, presented in partnership with the Art Gallery of Ballarat.
Above: Laresa Kosloff, La Perruque, 2018 (video still) 4K video Duration: 4 min Voice actors: Damian Walshe-Howling and Soula Alexander. Winner: GNAP19 Collection: Federation University Australia.
