No 8 Wire National Art Award

Auckland artist Aaron McConchie is the winner of the Fieldays No 8 Wire National Art Award 2009 for his entry The inevitable beginning to an inconsequential end.  The annual awards, announced on Friday, challenge artists to create a sculpture from No 8 Wire.

“Every artwork says something about the character of No 8 Wire. And each artist transforms this material in amazing ways – some humorous, some thoughtful and some jewel-like,” said award judge Rob Garret.

McConchie walked away with $4000 in prize money at a ceremony at ArtsPost Galleries and Shop on Friday evening, June 5.

Auckland artists Brendan McGorry and Helen Holmes placed second for their entry Walking home through the forest and received $2000 in prize money, while Hamilton artist Gaye Jurisich placed third for Malis and received $1000.

In total, a record 29 entries were received for the Fieldays No 8 Wire National Art Award 2009, with 14 of those shortlisted as finalists.

Waikato Museum Director Kate Vusoniwailala said the Fieldays No 8 Wire National Art Awards has become a highlight on the national art calendar and offers something unique for artists to turn their hand to.

“The awards draw on an iconic farm product and translate this through talent and ingenuity into an art form. Each year the exhibition draws significant interest from the public who are intrigued to discover what imaginative and creative responses there are to the use of No. 8 wire,” she said.

Launched in 1997, the award is coordinated by Waikato Museum and held at ArtsPost, and has been sponsored by Fieldays for the past 10 years.

New prizes introduced this year include ‘The Fieldays President Award’ and a ‘Peoples Choice Prize’ which will be awarded to the artist who receives the most public votes during the course of the exhibition. The winners will be announced at the end of the exhibition.

The finalists' work will be exhibited at ArtPost from 6 June until 29 June.