Anna McDermott - Winner, The Nillumbik Prize 2017

The winner of the Nillumbik Prize, as well as two Highly Commended awards, were selected and announced by Pip Wallis, Curator of Contemporary Art, National Gallery of Victoria, at the official opening of the exhibition on Thursday 1 June 2017. 
Anna McDermott was named winner of The Nillumbik Prize 2017 for her work 1. The outside limit of an object, area or surface. 2. Move or cause to move gradually or furtively in a particular direction, and Ella Dunn and Peter Ben were both awarded commendations. 
We extend our most enormous congratulations to the winners, and to the other 37 shortlisted artists in the prize, all of whom offered contemporary works of excellence to the exhibition. 

Pip Wallis kindly offers us some insight into her decisions by detailing the response that was elicited during her interactions with each of the winning works.
Of Anna McDermott's work 1. The outside limit of an object, area or surface. 2. Move or cause to move gradually or furtively in a particular direction - "this work asks us to consider what isn't seen as much as what is. It is formally beautiful and conceptually rich. The intimacy it captures in the photographic detail is paired with a rigorous questioning of what it is to have a body that moves through the world."
Of Peter Ben's work Johnny Cash at Folsom Prison - "this painting brings immediate joy because it so clearly conveys the artist's passion for his subject. The energy and devotion that underpins this work affords us an insight into the artist's subjectivity."
Of Ella Dunns work Night time in the Valley - "this work evocatively captures a very particular sensation at a particular moment. Dunn conveys that rare moment of clarity in which a specific mix of emotions and experiences synthesise in one mind for a brief second."

We thank Pip Wallis sincerely for her generosity in judging The Nillumbik Prize, and for her considerate and thoughtful evaluations of the many works on show. 

The Nillumbik Prize 2017 is a diverse exhibition which spans a huge variety of mediums, including but by no means limited to video, sculpture, painting, photography, installation, textiles and ceramics. We have been thrilled to host and administer this prize from the initial call for entries, all the way through to the resulting exhibition, and will enjoy the experience of sharing it with our visitors over its' two month duration. Our selection panel this year was made up of artists Minna Gilligan and Michael Peck, and Grace Longato, Cultural Collections Officer at the Nillumbik Shire Council. Each offered expert discussions around the over 170 works which were entered. 
We offer our thanks to the selection panel, and to our 40 finalists for the creativity and integrity they have brought to this annual art prize. 

Visit the exhibition to have your say in the People's Choice Award, which will be drawn and announced on Wednesday the 26th July at 6.30pm in the Barn Gallery, Montsalvat. 

Image: Anna McDermott, 1. The outside limit of an object, area or surface. 2. Move or cause to move gradually or furtively in a particular direction, 2016, digital video still printed on canson cotton rag, 105cm x 59cm