2014 Bowness Photography Prize opening and announcement, photo: Greg Briggs, image courtesy of Monash Gallery of Art
Capturing Australian photographers gaze for the tenth year, the annual non-acquisitive William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize is making way for submissions for 2015. An initiative of the Monash Gallery of Art Foundation, the award was established in 2006 to promote excellence in photography with a grand prize of $25,000 to be presented to the winner and $1,000 for people’s choice.
As one of Australia’s most coveted photography prizes, the competition is open to all Australian residents and citizens, and all forms and genres of photography are eligible including art, street, architectural and documentary styles.
Exhibited at the Monash Gallery of Art, Interim Gallery Director Stephen Zagala said that the judging panel is yet to be announced.
‘The judging panel for 2015 is yet to be confirmed, but it will consist of a professional photographer, a commentator or critic of photography, and a representative of the MGA. The panel will choose a shortlist of around 50 works to be exhibited, and will then convene when the exhibition has been installed to choose a winner,’ said Zagala.
Without strict thematic guidelines, Zagala said that the criterion for selection allowed for maximum scope and creative expression for photographers.
‘There are no set criteria for the Bowness Photography Prize. By asking a different photographer and commentator to join the panel each year, our aim is to facilitate a very informed and open judging process,’ said Zagala.
‘In the final instance, however, it is important to note that the judges are assessing tangible photographic prints in a gallery space, rather than pictures on a screen. So the printing and presentation of photographs is of critical importance’.
The Bowness Photography Prize has been awarded to both professionals and unknown amateurs in the past. Last year’s winner Petrina Hicks is a highly regarded, established photographer.
Zagala said that not only the winner but short-listed candidates will have an unparalleled opportunity for industry exposure.
‘The short-listed contestants have their work exhibited at MGA, within a context that celebrates the best of contemporary photography,’ said Zagala. ‘The exhibition also provides a significant basis for productive ongoing relationships between MGA and photographers’.
Entries open on 27 May 2015, closing 8 July 2015, with shortlisted candidates announced mid-August and the exhibition launched and winner announced 8 October 2015.
For more information visit Monash Gallery of Art.
