Exclusive Artworks, Collectable Artists: The Bluethumb Art Prize Winners Exhibition
The Bluethumb Art Prize Winners Exhibition has been in the pipeline since we announced the Bluethumb Art Prize 2020 and our partnership with 1 Denison in September last year. Over 2,500 artists entered, the awards were judged by a panel of esteemed artists – including Ken Done, Kim Leutwyler, Blak Douglas and Kim Hyunji – and 8 category award winners were announced. The prize was a resounding success and Hubert Pareroultja was named the overall winner of the Bluethumb Art Prize, making headline news across Australia.
Our partnerships with 1 Denison, North Sydney’s new tallest building, Grand Designs Australia Magazine and Eckersley’s Art & Craft, meant that we were able to offer more category awards than we have in any previous years and once-in-a-lifetime prize packages. Included in the incredible prizes was this winners exhibition at 1 Denison, which has just opened, and there’s a lot to be making noise about. Find out what to expect below.
North Sydney’s tallest tower, Nine’s new headquarters and now the home of the Bluethumb Art Prize Winners Exhibition: 1 Denison
See Exclusive Artworks by the Bluethumb Art Prize 2020 Winners
Behind the scenes, Bluethumb’s styling gurus Alexandra, Amélia and Freddy have been working tirelessly with the winners of last year’s Bluethumb Art Prize. This year’s winners exhibition is tipped to include new exclusive work from highly sought-after collectable artists, such as Aboriginal artist Kelilah Taylor-Ware, still life connoisseur Jane Reynolds, realism extraordinaire Todd Simpson and last year’s overall prize winner (who also won last year’s Wynne Prize!), Hubert Pareroultja.
A new masterwork by Hubert Pareroultja, winner of the Bluethumb Art Prize 2020.
And yet, that’s not all – Bluethumb Art Prize judge and all round Aussie legend Ken Done has generously donated an artwork especially for the Bluethumb Art Prize Winners Exhibition to raise money for a great cause (keep reading to find out more). Check out the message from Ken himself for our awards ceremony in the following clip.
1 Denison: The Home of the Bluethumb Art Prize Winners Exhibition
“We’re so excited to be partnering with 1 Denison for what we hope is the first of many art prize exhibitions,” says Bluethumb’s Interior Designer Alexandra, who helped curate the exhibition. “Our first contact with the team was prior to the building being complete, so it was amazing to see the proposed building and interiors turn into a reality. The natural stone wall tiles provide the perfect backdrop for our winning artists’ work, many of which were created especially for this exhibition.
“I’m particularly excited about Kelilah’s large stunning works behind the reception desk, such standout pieces for the space and sure to catch everyones eyes. It’s been such a fun experience to curate and bring this exhibition to life with 1 Denison and the Bluethumb team.”
Shh – here’s a sneak peak! Work by the Indigenous category award winner Kelilah Taylor-Ware takes centre stage in the reception area.
A Ken Done Piece that Does Good
“Ken has been a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador for over 30 years so when we mentioned we were thinking of doing a closing event for the winners exhibition with a charity auction, he didn’t hesitate to donate a work,” Bluethumb Art Prize Director Freddy explains. “We were blown away at just how generous his donation is though and honoured to be allowed to exhibit Grey Sea and Showboat, 1998 alongside our award winning artists.
Art from an amazing collectable Australian artist that helps an amazing cause? That’s a winner to us. Grey sea and showboat, 1998 by Ken Done
“Ken has long considered his role with UNICEF as one of his most important and it really shows. Featuring Ken’s evocative brushstrokes and bold use of colour, this is a classic work from the late 1990s and valued at over $10,000. Fingers crossed we raise even more than that for UNICEF!”
This piece will be auctioned at the closing event of the winners exhibition, with the proceeds going to UNICEF. If you’re interested in bidding, please get in touch via the enquire now button on the artworks listing to register.
Unmissable Events
Throughout the exhibition, we’ll be hosting an array of exciting Bluethumb Art Prize related events at 1 Denison. “Jane Reynolds, the winner of our Still Life Award, will be teaching her incredible techniques at a pair of casual Paint & Sip classes for all levels,” says Freddy. “Art prize judges Kim Leutwyler, a finalist in this year’s Archibald Prize, and Blak Douglas, winner of the 2019 Kilgour Prize, will host a Lunch & Learn session where they’ll discuss their art journeys and the fight for representation in museums and galleries. Last but not least, we have the closing auction of Ken’s masterpiece!”
The backstage, unseen part to every exhibition takes a lot of work!
Are You Ready?
Looking for some good news? From today until the end of July, you can get on down to our winners exhibition at 1 Denison to check out the dazzling Bluethumb Art Prize Winners collection in person. For those of us unable to catch the exhibition in Sydney, click here to see the curation online whenever you want! Keep up to date with everything going on over on our Instagram.
What’s more, the artworks in the exhibition have just dropped and are now available to make yours. You can view each piece in the online curation. Contact the team for any enquiries. Hurry, they won’t be sticking around for long!
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