2012 Theme
The Mandorla Art Award theme for 2012 is taken from St Paul’s letter to the Galatians 4:4.
“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law.”
This verse from Galatians firstly tells us something about Jesus. He came into this world at a time when God decided to intervene in order to redeem all humankind. The understanding of the term ‘sent’ is important as it shows that Jesus had full authority from God. That he was born under the law links the Abrahamic promises of the covenant to the new covenant in Jesus Christ.
This verse also speaks of God’s Son being born of a woman. This is the earliest reference in the New Testament to Jesus’ mother and is used as proof that God truly and fully accepted the human condition. There is an extraordinary relationship at work here between God and a woman so that salvation can be a reality. In other parts of the New Testament the woman is named Mary.
Submissions must clearly demonstrate a direct relationship to the Biblical theme.
Prizes
The Mandorla Art Award
There are three prize categories open to artists aged 18 and over.
- The St John of God Health Care Prize, valued at $25,000 (acquisitive)
- 2 x Highly Commended Prizes, valued at $5,000 each (non-acquisitive)
- People’s Choice Prize, valued at $2,000 (non-acquisitive)
The Mandorla Youth Art Award
There is a single prize category open to artists aged 16 to 25.
- The St John of God Health Care Prize for Emerging Young Artists, valued at $5,000 (acquisitive)
How To Enter
Artists are invited to enter in one of the two awards; entry into the Mandorla Art Award 2012 is open to all artists 18 years and over, and entry into the Mandorla Youth Art Award is open to all artists aged 16 to 25 years. Download an entry form (.pdf), complete and return it before 6pm, 1 June 2012. Please read the Terms and Conditions carefully before submitting.
Entries are limited to 2 works per person, and only 1 work by each finalist will be exhibited. Each artwork requires a separate entry form and fee.
Important Dates
Entries close 1 June 2012
Announcement of finalists 15 June 2012
Announcement of winners and exhibition opening 10 August 2012
Exhibition dates 10 – 19 August 2012
Judges
Past judges include Betty Churcher; Sr. Rosemary Crumlin; Hal Missingham; John Stringer; Dr. Anna Gray; Giles Auty, art critic of The Australian at the time; and Robert Juniper, celebrated WA artist.
This year’s judges will continue this fine tradition, bringing deep spiritual conviction, international experience and a wealth of expertise in the visual arts.
Dr. Rod Pattenden
Artist, art historian, author and educational facilitator, Rod is interested in the connection between spirituality and the arts and has written and lectured widely on this topic. He has a BA Visual Arts (arts practice), M Phil (art history), M Theol (hons), and a Dip Ed. He is currently co-ordinator of the Institute for Theology and the Arts, co-director of InterPlay Australia and chairperson of the Blake Prize for Religious Art.
Dr. Rachael Kohn
Academic, author and broadcaster, Canadian-born Rachael taught Religious Studies before joining the ABC in 1992. She has won three international radio awards and produced documentaries for ABC TV’s ‘Compass’. She also gained a Doctor of Letters from the University of New South Wales in 2005 for services to the community, fostering religious understanding through broadcasting, public speaking and writing. This is her second time as a judge for the Mandorla Art Award.
Dr. Annette Pedersen
Teacher, published writer and curator, Annette has a BA with Honours in Art History, PhD and Grad Dip Ed. She is an Honorary Research Fellow in the Faculty of Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts at UWA, where she has taught since 1994. A painting of hers was exhibited in Jordan last year where it remains in the State Collection. She has curated three exhibitions at the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, the most recent of which was ‘reconnaissance’ in 2011.
Selection and Judging
The selection and judging process is the same for both the Mandorla Art Award 2012 and the Mandorla Youth Art Award 2012.
Judging of the finalists will be conducted by an independent panel of judges on Friday 10 August 2012, prior to the opening ceremony and announcement of winners at 6pm that evening at the Perth Town Hall. The exhibition continues until Sunday 19 August 2012. After the exhibition, Mandorla will tour a selection of works at the New Norcia Museum and Art Gallery until Sunday 23 September. Artists will be notified in due course of this selection.
Selection
The selection of the finalists to be exhibited in the Perth Town Hall will be carried out by four appointed selection panel members, including the curator, on June 15. They will determine the finalists by viewing the digital images of the finished work submitted by the artists. Each member of the selection panel has postgraduate tertiary qualifications, and their combined practice as visual artists covers the disciplines of Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture and Photography/Media.The criteria for selection of works to exhibit include:
The criteria for selection of works to exhibit include:
- Impact – visual and aesthetic, or including an anti-aesthetic
- Creativity – ‘readings’ within a contextual/ conceptual/technical/interpretive framework
- Technical skills – selection and application of media
- Compliance – with Terms and Conditions of entry
Judging
Three appointed judges will select one First Prize winner for each category (Mandorla Art Award 2012 and Mandorla Youth Art Award 2012) on Friday 10 August. Judges will select two Highly Commended Award winners for the Mandorla Art Award 2012 only. The People’s Choice Award will be determined by the viewer’s votes at the conclusion of the exhibition at the Perth Town Hall. It will be announced and presented at the opening of the touring selection at the Benedictine Community’s New Norcia Gallery.
The award-winning works must:
- Clearly demonstrate a direct relationship to the theme, ‘born of a woman’, Galatians (4:4)
- Be original and not infringe on copyright
- Not have been exhibited prior
The judges’ process of selection will be respected, with regard to their professional discretion and the engagement of their artistic sensibilities.