Art Monthly July 2008 Number 211

QLD Vanessa McRae

vanessa_mcrae@yahoo.com

Winner take all

Vernon Ah Kee is still considered an ‘emerging’ artist. But since Cantchant, his powerful triple-screen video projection debunking White Australian beach mythology, exhibited at the IMA earlier this year, he’s had a show at Artspace, received a $30K Qantas Scholarship, and is in the Sydney Biennale. If this weren’t enough, it’s just been announced that he’s included in the Venice Biennale in the group show, Once Removed, curated by Felicity Fenner.

Accounting for taste

Famous for his sarongs and bling, prominent tax accountant Brian Tucker is also an avid contemporary art collector [and, gratefully, supporter of AMA]. In 20 years he has amassed over 500 works. His eclectic collection is evidence of his commitment to supporting artists, as much as of his vision and passions. His collection is the focus of Accounting for the Collector, a collaborative project by Logan Art Gallery, Redcliffe Art Gallery and Dell Gallery, Queensland College of Art, Griffith University. It includes two exhibitions. Redcliffe Art Gallery will showcase a selection of Tucker’s Indigenous works while Logan presents landscape, and works of flora and fauna. The Redcliffe exhibition opens on 16 July and continues until 16 August. The Logan exhibition opens in August. For further information contact Redcliffe Art Gallery, 07 32830415.

Open chequebook

Queensland University Art Museum (QUAM), the largest public art collection in the state outside QAG, has been splurging. A trip out to St Lucia has become even more rewarding with the newly revitalised permanent collection display uncovering gems by the likes of Ian Burn and Robert Rooney alongside new acquisitions, including massive canvases by George Tjungarrayi and Dorothy Napangardi. www.artmuseum.uq.edu.au

Barifest

Brisbane Artist Run Initiatives (BARI) is calling for proposals from unrepresented emerging artists keen to be included in the BARI Festival. Up to 60 artists will exhibit across three venues: KiLN in Paddington, FLIPBOOK Gallery in West End (supported by Uncovers Art Initiative) and Jugglers Art Space in Fortitude Valley. Contributing artists will have the chance to participate in forums during the 3-day festival (28-31 August). The Festival highlights the key role artist-run initiatives play in supporting and promoting new artists. Applications close July 14th. www.barifest.com

10, 9, 8 …

Lawyers Clayton Utz is offering two $5000 travel awards for artists based in Queensland (or with a close connection to the state). The Launch scholarships will enable the lucky recipients to undertake formal study, a residency, or a planned program with a professional artist or mentor in Australia or overseas. The first winner will be announced at the opening of an exhibition of 25 shortlisted applicants at Metro Arts on Wednesday 3 July. They include Andrea Fisher [see Em Files], Christian Flynn, Christopher Handran, Jennie Jackson, Mandy Ridley, Martin Smith and Rebecca Ross. The exhibition continues until 12 July. www.positive-solutions.com.au

Bonanza

There’s no shortage of art prizes these days. Many are supported by companies riding the mineral boom. Rockhampton Art Gallery is calling for artists to enter its 2008 Ergon Energy Central Queensland Art Awards, a $15 000 acquisitive award. As well, young artists (between 18 and 26) are invited to enter the $5000 Charles Ware Award for Young Artists, for works on paper. Deadline Friday 10 October. www.rockhamptonregion.qld.gov.au

Churchie-goers

On the heels of its controversial banning of same-sex couples from its school formal, the Anglican Church Grammar School (aka The Churchie) announced the winner of their national emerging art prize. Judging duo Jose da Silva and Francis E. Parker (both from QAG) awarded the $10 000 first prize to Sydney’s Sam Smith for his multimedia work Film Still [Portal]. This year’s show may have been patchy, but The Churchie prize, now in its 21st year, remains one of Australia’s key emerging art awards. The inaugural winner in 1988 was loud and proud gay artist Scott Redford.

Snakes and ladders

Peter Liddy departs from Queensland University Art Museum, where he was operations manager for a decade, to become Installations Coordinator at QAG. Angela Goddard has been appointed QAG’s Curator of Australian Art Pre-1970. She was previously their Project Officer, Regional Services.

Two to watch

Davida Allen, former Archibald winner, exhibits her self-portraits and autobiographical landscapes in her recognisable expressionistic style at Philip Bacon Gallery. 8 July to 2 August. www.philipbacon.com.au
… In 2004, Nathan Corum photographed Hitchcock movies on television through arrays of cardboard tubes. The tubular device, which he called a corumscope, created crude no-tech pixilated images. Corum returns to his process in a new series that mimics colour-blindness tests. Queensland Centre for Photography until 20 July. www.qcp.org.au.

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