After receiving almost 500 entries, 14 finalists have been selected for the churchie emerging art prize 2021.

2021 finalists are: Akil Ahamat, Tiyan Baker, Christopher Bassi, Leon Russell (Cameron) Black, Ohni Blu, Riana Head-Toussaint, Visaya Hoffie, Kait James, Alexa Malizon, Kyra Mancktelow, Ivy Minniecon, Nina Sanadze, Jayanto Tan, and Joanne Wheeler.

Pre-selection was undertaken by this year’s curator Grace Herbert, representatives from the IMA and Churchie, and a guest artist. About the process Grace said “There was a large pool of incredibly strong applicants to this years’ prize. I feel privileged to have seen such a diversity of practice coming from emerging artists around the country.”

Artworks by the finalists will be on show at the Institute of Modern Art 9 October–18 December 2021, with the official opening and prize announcement Friday 8 October.

Thanks to generous sponsors ‘the churchie’ offers a prize pool of $25,000. The overall winner will receive a non-acquisitive $15,000 cash prize donated by long-standing sponsor, BSPN Architecture and selected by this year’s guest judge Rhana Devenport ONZM, Director of the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA).

Rhana Devenport will also award a $5,000 Special Commendation prize sponsored by Fardoulys Constructions, and two Commendation prizes of $1,000 sponsored by Madison Cleaning Services.

At the conclusion of the exhibition a People’s Choice Award of $3,000, also sponsored by Madison Cleaning Services will be announced.

Read the latest news and get to know this year’s curator and judge here.