Archibald Prize-winning artist Nicholas Harding has been named as the judge for the 2014 Bega Art Prize.
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Bega Valley Regional Gallery curator Iain Dawson said he is thrilled to have such an esteemed and internationally respected artist on board as judge.
“While Nicholas is well known for his portraits, it is his immense skill in landscape and still life that have always stood out and been incredibly popular with collectors and connoisseurs,” Mr Dawson said.
“I’m hoping he is inspired by his visit to the Sapphire Coast and decides to continue his famous coastal series featuring some locations here.
“Nicholas will bring his expert eye to the heavily contested painting and ceramics field at this year’s prize.
“I’m hoping for our strongest competition in years and encourage all local painters to get their entries in before the November 14 deadline.
“Time to put brush to canvas or clay to wheel now!”
Mr Harding won the Archibald Prize in 2001 with a portrait of John Bell as King Lear.
He also won the People's Choice Award at the 2005 Archibald, with Bob's Daily Swim.
He has been a finalist in the Archibald Prize for 13 years in a row, from 1994 to 2006, and in 2009 and 2011.
His painting Robert Drewe (In the swell) was a 2006 Archibald Prize finalist and was purchased in 2010 by the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra for its permanent collection.
The Bega Art Prize will open with a gala event on December 12 and the winner will be announced by Mr Harding on the night.
The first prize is $5000, the Mailroom Prize awarded by council’s records staff is $500, and the South East Arts People Choice prize is also $500.
The focus for this year’s award is painting and ceramics.
For more information and to download an entry form, visit www.begavalley.nsw.gov.au.