Sam Smith awarded $40,000 Helen Lempriere Travelling Art Scholarship
Wednesday 22 August
On its 10th anniversary, Sam Smith is the winner of the 2007 Helen Lempriere Travelling Art Scholarship. The Scholarship is one of Australia’s most lucrative awards to emerging artists, valued at $40,000.
Smith won with his installation piece, Video Camera [HDW-F900/3]/Video Lens [HJ11x4.7B], 2006.
The selection committee described Smith’s winning entry as “a sophisticated and well-resolved work, which combines sculpture and video installation”. Smith has been Highly Commended in the Helen Lempriere Travelling Art Scholarship exhibitions in two previous years, 2003 and 2006. Smith intends to use the Scholarship to study at the Whitney Museum of American Art’s Independent Study Program in New York, which focuses on studio, curatorial, critical and architecture studies.
The committee commented that “the Whitney’s program is one of the most prestigeous in the world. It will be a great opportunity for Sam to develop his work with a studio in Manhattan.”
Also Highly Commended were Adam Costenoble, Grzegorz Gawronski, Soda_Jerk, Rachel Scott and Emma White. The selection committee said “the overall standard of work was very high this year”, and commented on “the diversity and quality of artistic practice in New South Wales.”
The 2007 selection committee comprises:
Elizabeth Ann Macgregor, Director, Museum of Contemporary Art
Jacky Redgate, New South Wales-based artist
Michael Rolfe, Director, Hazelhurst Regional Gallery & Arts Centre
The winning artist is selected on the basis of artistic merit and the potential of their chosen course of study to benefit their creative and professional development.
2007 marks the 10th anniversary of the Helen Lempriere Travelling Art Scholarship and the partnership between the NSW Government and Perpetual Limited.
Perpetual’s Head of Philanthropy, David Knowles, commented that “Perpetual is proud to play an important role in making sure Helen Lempriere’s legacy fosters emerging artistic talent in New South
Wales.”
An exhibition of entries is on view from 22 August until 8 September at Artspace, The Gunnery, 43-51 Cowper Wharf Road, Woolloomooloo.
The Helen Lempriere Travelling Art Scholarship is presented by the New South Wales Government with the support of the Helen Lempriere Bequest, managed by Perpetual Limited. Arts NSW gratefully acknowledges the assistance of Artspace.
For more information, contact Alexandra Bowen on 0414 331 307
Click here to access the 2007 HLTAS Media Release