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Author and art writer Megan Dunn joins Kim to talk about the pros and cons of having prizes for art.
Prizes are one of the key ways artists get recognised and a financial boost but they also attract controversy and debate.
But how to judge art? And how are decisions made?
Megan's looking at the winners of two new awards; The Rydal Prize (which she was one of the judges for), and The Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award, currently showing at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery in Wellington until August 20.
Owen Connors, Greetings, you who are highly favoured! (detail), 2021, egg tempera on board, hand carved lacquered ash frame (PHOTO: Russell Kleyn)
Owen Connors, Greetings, you who are highly favoured!, 2021, egg tempera on board, hand-carved lacquered ash frame (PHOTO: Russell Kleyn)
Owen Connors, Libations, 2021, egg tempera on board, hand-carved lacquered ash frame (PHOTO: Russell Kleyn)
Owen Connors, Die Zerstückelung, 2022, egg tempera on board, oxidised macrocarpa frame, pigmented shellacked macrocarpa detail (PHOTO: Sam Hartnett)
Owen Connors, Autotomy, 2022, egg tempera on board, pigmented shellacked macrocarpa frame, oxidised silver beech detail. (PHOTO: Russell Kleyn)
Owen Connors, awarded The Rydal Prize for Incubations at Robert Heald gallery in 2021. (PHOTO: Owen Connors)
Stevei Houkāmau, winner of the Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award, on now at the National Portrait Gallery in Wellington. (PHOTO: Juan Zarama Perini)
Stevei Houkāmau, Kia Whakatōmuri te haere whakamua (Hinemaurea), 2023, Clay, paint, feathers, sealer, powder coated wire, 2023 (overall winner) (PHOTO: Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award)
Ming Ranginui, Swept under the rug (Heeni Jayne Ranginui), 2023. Muka, cotton pearl thread, broomstick, (runner up) (PHOTO: Sam Hartnett)
Installation views of the Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award at the The New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata, on until Sunday August 20th 2023 (PHOTO: Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award)
Installation views of the Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award at the The New Zealand Portrait Gallery Te Pūkenga Whakaata, on until Sunday August 20th 2023. (PHOTO: Kiingi Tuheitia Portraiture Award)
