Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award

The annual Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award is a renowned competition challenging artists from across Aotearoa New Zealand to transform the iconic agricultural product, No.8 wire, into inspiring art.

Each year entrants are invited to utilise agricultural-based materials and No.8 wire to create sculptural artworks and compete for a prize pool worth nearly $10,000.

The award culminates in a month-long exhibition at Hamilton’s ArtsPost Galleries & Shop. 

2023 winners

The winners of the 2023 Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award were announced at the awards ceremony held on Thursday 25 May. Read more here: Connectivity wins the 2023 Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award - media release.

First prize

• “Connectivity” by Ricks Terstappen, Hawke's Bay

Second prize

• “Cyclonic” by Jeff Thomson and Bev Goodwin, Helensville

Third prize

• “641E9372” by John McKenzie, Te Aroha

Chair’s Choice award

• “In Case of Emergency...Break Glass” by Heather Olesen, Morrinsville

People’s Choice award

• “The Gate” by Waikato Creative Stitchers: Josina Ellis, Liz Wilson, Sue Truman, Barbara Rosenberg, Sue Lynch, Marianne Lock, Katherine Fell

Guest judge

Innovative New Zealand sculptor Hannah Kidd is 2023's judge for the Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award.

Renowned for her large-scale constructions made of welded steel, Methven-based Kidd selected the finalists and prize-winners through a blind judging process which keeps the artist names secret.

Prizes

• First prize: $7,000
• Second prize: $1,000
• Third prize: $500
• Chair’s choice: $100 ArtsPost voucher
• People’s choice: $100 ArtsPost voucher

2023 finalists

The finalists for the 2023 Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award are:

• Dagmar Elliott, Te Awamutu
• Teuila Fatupaito, Hamilton
• Helen Fuller, Waiheke Island
• Tony Gray, Morrinsville
• Jevon Howe, Pukekohe
• Asaki Kajima, Hawke's Bay
• John McKenzie, Te Aroha
• Jane Mortimer and Dave Sole, Hamilton
• Heather Olesen, Morrinsville
• Susan Rhodes, Hamilton
• Ricks Terstappen, Hawke's Bay (two works)
• Tira, Kaikohe
• Jeff Thomson and Bev Goodwin, Helensville
• Dinah and Mark Walker, Auckland
• Yasmin Yussof, Canterbury
• Waikato Creative Stitchers: Josina Ellis, Liz Wilson, Sue Truman, Barbara Rosenberg, Sue Lynch, Marianne Lock, Katherine Fell

Timeline

• Open for entries: Wednesday 15 February 2023
• Entries close: 1pm Friday 14 April 2023
• Finalists notified: Week of 24 April 2023
• Awards ceremony: Thursday 25 May 2023
• Exhibition open: 26 May - 2 July 2023