- Exhibition
Meroogal Women’s Art Prize 2020
Now Showing
Artists were invited to create works that respond to Meroogal and its sense of place. In their selection of finalists from hundreds of entries, our judges looked for artworks that cast new light on the stories of the people who lived here, and the house’s rich and diverse collection of treasures.
The work of the 40 finalists will be exhibited in the historic house of Meroogal from 19 September 2020 to 17 April 2021.
Winners will be announced on 23 September 2020.
2020 prizes
- 1st Prize: $7000, Sydney Living Museums membership, and a Bundanon Trust artist-in-residence scholarship*
- 2nd Prize: $3000 and Sydney Living Museums membership
- Highly Commended Award: Sydney Living Museums membership and solo exhibition opportunity at Shoalhaven Regional Gallery, Nowra**
- People’s Choice Award: $500 and Sydney Living Museums Membership (to be announced at the close of the exhibition)
* The two-week residency must be taken between July and December 2021.
** Shoalhaven Regional Gallery, Nowra, will provide an encouragement award for a highly commended artist consisting of a solo show at the gallery in 2021–22, with the exact time to be arranged in discussion with the artist. The award will consist of an exhibition in one of the community galleries with the total value being up to $1300.
Opens 19 September 2020
Open Saturdays, 10am–4pm, including Boxing Day
BOOK TICKETS
Because of limited capacity within the house museum, visitors are encouraged to pre-purchase timed session tickets online before their visit.
Please read our important COVID-19 conditions of entry before booking your ticket.
Media release
Meroogal Women’s Art Prize 2020 Winners’ AnnouncementWednesday 23 September 2020
The Meroogal Women’s Art Prize celebrates the creativity of female artists in NSW. The 2020 Winners were announced at a modest event at the Meroogal house museum.
Sarah Goffman, Winner
Sarah Goffman
Blue willow
plastic, permanent marker, clay
I imagine the ubiquitous blue willow–patterned plates or cups being used in Meroogal’s past. By simulating the pattern on contemporary plastics designated for waste, I imbue them with a new life.
Sarah Goffman
Blue willow
plastic, permanent marker, clay
I imagine the ubiquitous blue willow–patterned plates or cups being used in Meroogal’s past. By simulating the pattern on contemporary plastics designated for waste, I imbue them with a new life.
Sassy Park, runner-up
Sassy Park
Garden play set
ceramic, wood (found object)
Kate cuts flowers. George feeds the chickens. Belle spies a rabbit and listens to the little bird sing. The residents and animals of Meroogal have become miniaturised in Garden play set. Freely modelled and painted in various clays and finishes, these ceramic figures conjure the nostalgia of wooden Erzgebirge toys and Staffordshire figurines. Inspired by the transformation of objects played with from my grandparents’ china cabinet, these treasures play out their narrative on the space of a red lacquered tray.
Sassy Park
Garden play set
ceramic, wood (found object)
Kate cuts flowers. George feeds the chickens. Belle spies a rabbit and listens to the little bird sing. The residents and animals of Meroogal have become miniaturised in Garden play set. Freely modelled and painted in various clays and finishes, these ceramic figures conjure the nostalgia of wooden Erzgebirge toys and Staffordshire figurines. Inspired by the transformation of objects played with from my grandparents’ china cabinet, these treasures play out their narrative on the space of a red lacquered tray.
Julie Patterson, Highly Commended
Julie Patterson
A dozen modest fancies
printed linen, vintage chair
Over four generations, the Meroogal women created a genteel and modest space that hums with comfort, colour and connectedness. Capable and thrifty, the Thorburn and Macgregor women made things, made do, and made good choices. Standing in the parlour, I imagined Tot’s nieces Margaret, Helen and Elgin wanting to re-cover a generous armchair they’ve stripped to the ticking. Over a pot of strong tea, they flip through a well-loved sample book, considering which of these fabrics they most fancy.
Julie Patterson
A dozen modest fancies
printed linen, vintage chair
Over four generations, the Meroogal women created a genteel and modest space that hums with comfort, colour and connectedness. Capable and thrifty, the Thorburn and Macgregor women made things, made do, and made good choices. Standing in the parlour, I imagined Tot’s nieces Margaret, Helen and Elgin wanting to re-cover a generous armchair they’ve stripped to the ticking. Over a pot of strong tea, they flip through a well-loved sample book, considering which of these fabrics they most fancy.
Finalists
- Vilma Bader
- Linda Balding
- Deborah Beck
- Ali Beck
- Lee Bethel
- Jane Burton Taylor
- Indira Carmichael
- Hannah Cooper
- Karen Coull
- Kaz Davis
- Kate Dorrough
- Rosalie Duligal
- Tamara Ealey
- Helen Earl
- Tina Fox
- Claire Gibbon
- Sarah Goffman
- Barbara Huntington
- Anita Johnson Larkin
- Sally Khurshed
- Rosy Lloyd
- Anna Lochtenberg- Williams
- Grace Ludemann
- Sarah McEwan
- Jo Mellor
- Helen Mountford
- Sassy Park
- Janet Parker-Smith
- Julie Paterson
- Mary Preece
- Adrienne Richards
- Lesley Richman
- Ebony Russell
- Penny Sadubin
- Nicole Smede & Leanne Waterhouse
- Chris Smith
- Kim Stanford
- Sue Tesoriero
- Kate Vella
