Embodying the spirit of diversity and creativity within the ranks of the Australian Defence Force, the Napier Waller Art Prize for 2024 is now open for submissions. Organised by the Australian War Memorial, the annual art competition invites current and former Australian Defence Force personnel to submit original works of visual art. A generous cash prize of $15,000 awaits the winner, not to mention a spot in the Memorial’s prestigious National Collection.
The competition doesn’t set a specific medium, offering entrants a vast scope for expression—anything from painting to digital art, sculpture, and installation could be the next masterpiece. The winning entry will be displayed alongside other highly commended works at Parliament House come May 2024.
According to Memorial Director Matt Anderson, the purpose of the prize goes beyond mere artistic recognition. It serves as a unique platform to “promote artistic excellence while recording experiences of service.” Anderson stated, “This prize displays the artistic endeavour, personal experiences, and sheer talent of our service personnel.”
Laura Webster, the Head of Art at the Memorial, amplifies this vision. “We are inviting entrants to contribute a contemporary view of their diverse experiences,” she remarked. “The prize entries display the creativity and diversity of the Australian Defence Force.”
Last year’s victor, Mrs Anneke Jamieson, clinched the top spot with her painting, ‘The Promotion,’ which depicts a servicewoman in uniform breastfeeding her baby. A mother of three herself, Mrs Jamieson drew from personal experiences for her impactful piece. “I dedicate her to the mothers that serve; to their sacrifices and conflicted hearts, and to the families who support them,” she articulated in her artist statement.
Her work didn’t just win her the $15,000 prize but also the People’s Choice Award. Reflecting on her win, Mrs Jamieson observed that the art prize serves as a launchpad for service members to articulate their vitally important stories, adding that it also provides a “means for us to process and validate our story and be seen and heard.”
The general public isn’t left out of the artistic festivities either. Finalists’ works will be available for viewing on the Australian War Memorial’s website, where people can vote for their favourite in the People’s Choice Award. The winner of this segment will receive $5,000.
The competition officially kicks off today, 8 September, and entries will be accepted until 17 December 2023. Interested artists can find entry details at the Australian War Memorial’s website. The recipient of the prize will be decided by a panel of judges and art experts, making sure that the awarded art represents the very best in creative storytelling from those who have served in Australia’s Defence Force.
So if you’re in the service or have been, take out your brush, your lens, or whatever tool you use to create. Who knows? The next chapter of your life could very well begin with a masterpiece.
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The Napier Waller Art Prize 2024, for Australian Defence Force personnel, offers a $15,000 prize. Submissions are open until 17 December 2023, with diverse artistic mediums welcome. 🎨💰 #TheIndianSun #Art #ArtPrizehttps://t.co/taZbVxXoT4
— The Indian Sun (@The_Indian_Sun) September 8, 2023
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