Napier Waller Art Prize shortlist announced, People's Choice award open

The Australian War Memorial’s 2019 Napier Waller Art Prize online exhibition of 26 shortlisted artworks is now live, with voting open for the People’s Choice Award, including a cash prize of $5,000.

The prestigious art prize, held in partnership with the University of Canberra, Thales Australia, The Road Home, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, is open exclusively to current and former Australian Defence Force personnel and received 113 entries in its second year. The aim of the prize is to promote artistic excellence and raise a broader awareness of military experience and the impact of service on the individual.

A panel of art professionals from the Australian War Memorial chose a shortlist of 26 works, from which a group of judges selected 12 as Highly Commended. The judges are: Dr Brendan Nelson AO, Director of the Australian War Memorial; eX de Medici, former official war artist; Mr Nick Mitzevich, Director of the National Gallery of Australia; Mr Gerard Vaughan AM, former director of the National Gallery of Australia; Dr Caren Florance, University of Canberra Program Director, TQVisArts, Faculty of Arts and Design, University of Canberra; General Angus Campbell, Chief of the Australian Defence Force; Mr Gary Dawson, Vice President Strategy, Thales Australia; Ms Laura Webster, Head of Art, Australian War Memorial; and Mr Paul Flynn, Chief Executive Officer, Hospital Research Foundation.

The winner of this year’s prize will be announced at the official launch of the 2019 Napier Waller Art Prize exhibition on 19 September at the Memorial. The exhibition will open to the public the following day, and will continue until 17 November. Voting for the People’s Choice will continue via the Memorial’s website until the exhibition closes.

In addition to a $10,000 cash prize, the winning artist will have their work acquired into the Memorial’s National Collection. They will also receive a two-week research residency in the Art section of the Memorial, and a mentoring day with eX de Medici, former official war artist to the Solomon Islands.