LOCAL LIFE
Hawkesbury Art Prize’ s record entries
by Greg Martin
A record number of entries exceeding 650 are expected to be received for the 2025 Hawkesbury Art Prize( HAP), which has grown into one of Australia’ s premier art competitions.
The biennial prize is awarded to an Australian artist for a painting, drawing or work on paper with the theme of Contemporary Australian Identity. The prize is awarded for the most outstanding work created in the past 24 months.
The theme invites artists to respond to the concept of contemporary identity in Australian life- the prize excludes photography, textiles, embroidery, and sculpture works.
The 2025 art prize is judged by a 3-member panel, with the HAP organising committee snaring three true notables in the art world.
“ We have been extremely fortunate in enlisting the services of the renowned trio, Dr David Cubby, Rhonda Davis and Alan Daniel Jones,” said Robyn Williams, HAP committee chairperson.
“ Rhonda is the Senior Curator at Macquarie University Art Gallery, Dr Cubby is a is an educator, artist, writer and photographer and Senior Lecturer Western Sydney University, and Alan is a talented artist representing Olsen Gallery Sydney which features works by both acclaimed and emerging artists.”
Entries to the HAP close on July 18 and Robyn, delighted with the early response from artists, is confident that a record number of entries will be submitted by artists from all over the nation.
Rhonda, David and Alan will then begin the hard, but enjoyable task of firstly selecting 50 finalists who will be notified on July 30.
All 50 finalists will have their works on display at the home of the prize, Robyn Williams’ renowned Purple Noon Gallery at Freemans Reach. Where on August 30 the winning entries will be announced following an opening ceremony performed by the Federal Member for Macquarie and the Special Envoy for the Arts, Susan Templeton.
“ The finalists’ works will be on display at the gallery through until September 25,” Robyn said.
The winning artist receives $ 15,000 plus a two-week residency at Tony Kenny and David Leach’ s fabulous Glenhuntley Estate at Kurrajong Heights.
Where the 2023 winner, Brisbane’ s Katherine Barry and the two artists who shared the Highly Commended Award, Suzie Riley and Camie Lyons, have only recently completed their fortnightly residencies at Glenhuntly.
There will be other prizes up for grabs for this year’ s entrants – Highly Commended($ 1000 plus 2-week Glenhuntly residency), Bendigo Bank Highly Commended for Hawkesbury resident($ 1000), four Commended prizes and the ever-popular Packers Prize($ 500).
“ Once again we have had been supported by much appreciated sponsors, so Greg, could you give them a plug?”
The winner of the major award at the 2023 Hawkesbury Art Prize was Brisbane’ s Katherine Barry, pictured here with her entry, Illumine.
Robyn said. Certainly! Bank( Community Bank North Richmond and Richmond), Glenhuntly Estate, Purple Noon Gallery, Pieter
Huveneers Bequest, Christine Paine, John C M Bennett, Tizzana Winery, Bilpin Cider, Artsup, Mirror Vision, Richmond Fruit Market, Kurrajong Kitchens and Softcom Web Solutions.
8 ISSUE 182 // JULY 2025 theindependentmagazine. com. au THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT