Bulletin

Issue: August 2005

News

Darebin La Trobe Acquisitive Art Prize

The University's award for the 'Best Work' in this year's City of Darebin La Trobe University Acquisitive Art Prize has been won by Viki Petherbridge, above.

Valued at $5,000, the prize was for a photograph titled, And She Was (Homage to Talking Heads) described as evoking 'the disturbing images of Man Ray and Magritte' unsettling 'our sense or reality'.

Nusra Latif Qureshi won the 'Emerging Artist' award worth $3,000, for a digital print on paper Island Dream 1 .

The winning works and those of the other 46 finalists were exhibited at the Bundoora Homestead Art Centre during July and August.

La Trobe University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Michael Osborne, congratulated participants for their 'innovative, evocative and challenging' entries.

'Since 1997 it has been rewarding to follow the progress of past participants, many of whom are now showing their works in commercial, regional and state galleries,' he said.

'Significant cultural events - such as the Acquisitive Art Prize - are an important part of the University's education and community outreach program. In addition to a vibrant exhibition program, La Trobe University is committed to the arts through its academic pursuits.

'Visual Arts education is taught at the Bendigo and Mildura campuses while Art History is taught at the Bundoora Campus. Through this spread of metropolitan and regional commitment, students from diverse locations are able to fulfil their artistic visions.'

Mayor of the City of Darebin, Cr Diana Asmar, said the prize celebrated the best of contemporary art practice throughout Victoria. 'Darebin has a long-standing reputation for supporting both established and emerging artists, and the prize.'

The final judging panel comprised Geoffrey Edwards, Director, Geelong Gallery; Anne Virgo, Director, Australian Print Workshop Inc; and artist, Mark Schaller.