Basil Sellers Art Prize - People's Choice Award winner announced

Wednesday 15 October 2014

Melbourne Artist Fiona McMonagle has won the Yarra Trams People's Choice Award valued at $5,000, for her series of artworks entered in this year's Basil Sellers Art Prize.

Based on the votes of visitors to the exhibition, the Yarra Trams People's Choice award was presented to Fiona McMonagle for her collection of three large-scale watercolour portraits and an animation video, entitled The Ring.

In presenting the award, Clément Michel, CEO Yarra Trams, said, "Yarra Trams is a committed supporter of the arts and we are very excited to present Fiona McMonagle with this year's Yarra Trams People's Choice award.

"Her works really speak to you, there's something very compelling about the sport of boxing and the characters she depicts," Mr Michel said.

Ian Potter Museum of Art Director Kelly Gellatly said "the portraits are a fantastic exploration of women in sport, and it's great to see artists who are continually challenging themselves, as McMonagle has with her 'moving watercolour' animation.

"Whilst there are elements of social commentary and gender politics, the works are also a beautiful celebration of women in sport, and women who love to box. The watercolour and ink conveys both the vulnerability and strength of boxers.

The Basil Sellers exhibition is one that has something for everyone by linking sport with art. The exhibition gives artists an opportunity to explore the emotions and spectacle of sport, whilst challenging historical and moral issues within the Australian sporting culture," Ms Gellatly said.

The Basil Sellers Art Prize encourages artists to take on the theme of sporting culture and interpret it through their chosen practice. There are three awards during the exhibition; the $100,000 Basil Sellers Art Prize, a National Sports Museum Basil Sellers Creative Arts Fellowship, valued at $50,000 and the Yarra Trams People's Choice Award.

This year's Basil Sellers Art Prize was awarded to Tony Albert for his work entitles Once upon a time …2013-14. Albert's work addresses the controversy surrounding the abuse directed at AFL player Adam Goodes.

This additional shortlisted artists for this year's exhibition were Narelle Autio, Zoe Croggon, Gabrielle de Vietri, Ivan Durrant, Shaun Gladwell, Richard Lewer, William Mackinnon, Rob McHaffie, Noel McKenna, Rob McLeish, Fiona McMonagle, Raquel Ormella, Khaled Sabsabi, Jenny Watson and Gerry Wedd.

The exhibition is on at the Ian Potter Museum of Art at Melbourne University and will close on 16 November 2014.