The finalists in the prestigious Estuary Art and Ecology Awards for 2024 have been announced.
They are Hannah Arnold, Alexander Bailey, Ngahina Belton-Bodsworth, Cathy Carter, Julia Christey, Matthew Dowman, Jocelyn Friis, Marion Gordon-Flower, Helen Harvey, Geena Zelma Hill, Niki Simpkin-Hill, Rowan Holt, Anita Hu, Judith Lawson, Alysn Midgelow-Marsden, Chris Mules, Daisy Nicholas, Ainsley O’Connell, Kate Parker, Karen Sewell, Bridget Sutherland, and Sheyne Tuffery.
A public exhibition of their works opens on July 6 at Uxbridge Arts and Culture in Howick.
This year’s competition is being judged by conservationist and ecologist Annette Lees, the author of numerous acclaimed non-fiction books exploring the natural world including Swim and After Dark.
Uxbridge director Paul Brobbel says the contest is recognised nationally as New Zealand’s only art award dedicated to ecological themes.
It invites contemporary artists to produce new works that research and respond to environmental concerns around the Tamaki Estuary and its extensive tributaries in their own unique ways to “underscore the ecological value of this vital waterway and encourage action against its pollution”.
Brobbel says: “The quality of submissions was traditionally high.
“With over 75 entries from around Aotearoa, and with room for around a quarter of those in the exhibition, selecting finalists is a challenge.”
The finalists were selected by Brobbel and Uxbridge visual arts co-ordinator Zoë May, while Lees will announce the winners on July 6.
Now in its 18th year, the awards are supported by the Howick Local Board, Rice Family Partnership, Gordon Harris Art Supplies and the Tamaki Estuary Environmental Forum and have a prize pool of over $9,000.
An exhibition of the finalists’ work will be staged at Uxbridge, at 35 Uxbridge Road, Howick, from July 6 to August 31. Entry is free.
