Congratulations to Emily Parsons-Lord who was awarded the Major Prize of the churchie emerging art prize 2020 on Friday night. Parsons-Lord has been awarded a non-acquisitive $15,000 cash prize donated by long-standing sponsor BSPN Architecture.

Judge Tarun Nagesh (Curator, Asian Art, QAGOMA) commented, “Parsons-Lord’s gripping performances and interventions revel in the ability to invoke a feeling of wondrous possibility while gesturing toward an impending sense of loss. Through ethereal encounters, underpinned by rigorous intellectual and environmental enquiry, she appeals to our most instinctive bodily reactions and fundamental human concerns.”

A Special Commendation Prize was awarded to Nabilah Nordin (sponsored by Fardoulys Constructions) and two further Commendation Prizes to Marina Pumani Brown and Georgia Morgan (sponsored by Madison Cleaning).

Nagesh went on to say that, “the 2020 emerging art prize reflects the immense diversity of talent and the great vitality of emerging practices in Australia today, where some of our most exciting artistic talents present us with pertinent questions and insights about contemporary culture and the state of the world. In a textured exhibition, peppered with examples of courageous material and intellectual enquiry and provocation, ‘the churchie’ finalists have provided poignant reflections on the past and speculative propositions toward the future.”

The work of all 13 finalists can be seen at the IMA until 19 December.

See the virtual tour, exhibition catalogue, and digital programs here.