Bluethumb Art Prize ’18 Call for Entries

January 12, 2018

The Bluethumb Art Prize is Australia’s biggest and most accessible new art prize, aiming to raise the profile of Australian artists by supporting, recognising and celebrating their incredible talent and diversity.

Last year’s inaugural prize attracted more entries than the Archibald – 1140 to be precise. Not bad for the new prize on the block! Entries have already surpassed last year’s impressive tally, but not only has the prize pool doubled ($20,000 up from $10,000), 5 new category awards of $2000 are up for grabs, so there is still more chance of taking home a prize.

The new category awards are works on paper, works on canvas, photography, other media and the people’s choice, which is voted for online. An overall winner is selected from the category winners and receives the $10,000 Bluethumb Art Prize.

Last year’s overall winner, Home Away From Home by Kirsten Sivyer.

Emerging art star and 2017 finalist, Kim Leutwyler, thinks artists will win from entering the prize no matter what the judges decide:

“Bluethumb is comprised of a team that really look after their artists and collectors. They invest in projects to help their artists stretch and grow, and their art prize inevitably attracts new talent and showcases emerging artists around Australia. Although there can only be one winner, I’m certain that many artists will benefit monetarily from the prize by selling pieces to Bluethumb’s collector base.”

Entry to the prize is free and simple: artists need only sign up to Bluethumb, list their entry – “an original signature piece that represents their unique artistic practice” – and select it for the prize with a few clicks.

The diverse judging panel of twelve industry experts includes the general manager of SALA Festival, Penny Griggs, Curator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art and Material Culture at the South Australian Museum, Glenn Iseger-Pilkington, LGBTIQ-focussed artist, writer and curator Jimmy Twin and Real Housewife of Melbourne and qualified art curator, Gina Liano, lends some star quality to the panel.

Beautiful Bizarre Magazine’s very own Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Danijela Krha Purssey, also joins this year’s panel.

“I am honoured to be one of the esteemed judges of this year’s Bluethumb Art Prize,” says Danijela. “Entries close at the end of this month, so get yours in quick sticks!”