Winners Announced for Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award

6 June 2013

An Auckland artist, Louise Purvis has won the major prize in the 2013 Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award. No. 8 Construction, a three dimensional piece made of 4mm wire, was awarded the $4,000 prize at the awards ceremony held at ArtsPost this evening.

Ngaruawahia artist Arthur Mahutariki was placed second for Embedded and received $1,500 in prize money, and Jane Pouls and Dave Sole from Hamilton were placed third for The Bird has Flown and received $1,000. The President’s Award of $500, selected by Fieldays president Lloyd Downing went to Hamilton artist Marti Wong for Flight of Fantasy.

The judge, John Edgar says the 15 finalists in this year’s award exhibition are all unique, pieces of a high quality which made choosing three winners a challenging process.

"While there are fewer finalists this year, there is a high quality to the works and visitors to the exhibition will find many exciting art works that will stimulate thought and interaction,” he said.

“The winning art work is a very sculptural piece which shows excellent understanding of the material. It speaks to me of the urban environment and it is beautifully made.”

Edgar, an acclaimed New Zealand sculptor has been exhibiting work since 1979 and in 2009 became an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his contribution to the arts, in particular sculpture.

"Judging and selecting the wining art works is always a difficult process, as each work has its unique visual and sculptural qualities. I hope that my selection will encourage visitors to think about the works, and make their own selection for the People's Choice Award.”

The 'Peoples Choice Award' is awarded to the artist who receives the most public votes during the course of the exhibition.

The finalists' work will be exhibited at ArtsPost from Friday 7 June until Monday 15 July.For more information on the 2013 Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award visit www.waikatomuseum.co.nz.

ENDS

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
NAME: Louise Belay
DESIGNATION: Waikato Museum Partnerships and Communications Manager
TEL (DIRECT): 07 838 6956
MOBILE: 021 536 557
EMAIL: louise.belay@hcc.govt.nz