Announcing the inaugural BalletLab McMahon Contemporary Art Award and 2017 shortlisted artists.

18/05/17

Phillip Adams BalletLab (PABL) and Dr Marcus McMahon are thrilled to announce the inaugural

BalletLab McMahon Contemporary Art Award and 2017 shortlisted artists.

Established in 2016, the $12,000 invitation-only BalletLab McMahon Contemporary Art Award (BMCAA) will be awarded to a contemporary artist who demonstrates a commitment to brave, innovative and transitional practice that contests the boundaries of contemporary art in new and impactful ways. 

The BMCAA provides a valuable opportunity for one outstanding Victorian artist to progress their practice through the creation of a new work inspired by and exhibited at the magnificent new home of PABL, South Melbourne’s Temperance Hall. Marking the establishment of PABL at this significant historic site, the BMCAA contributes to a program of ambitious and dynamic multi-disciplinary arts events honouring our organisations mission to be the leading interdisciplinary space for contemporary arts practice, where the body is central. 

“Phillip Adams BalletLab has a rich history of collaboration with artists from a broad range of artistic disciplines making them, the perfect partner for an award such as this. I am hopeful that the BalletLab McMahon Contemporary Art Award will help to foster the development of an amazing contemporary artist, and in doing so, support the next generation of artists that will be the lifeblood of our artistic community for years to come.”  Dr Marcus McMahon

Max Delaney, Director of the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA) is the inaugural BMCAA Judge and will select one outright winner from a shortlist of five outstanding Victorian artists. 

The 2017 BMCAA shortlist has been selected by respected group of industry professionals including Serena Bentley (Assistant Curator, Australian Centre for the Moving Image), Michael Brennan (Independent curator and Artist), Hannah Mathews (Curator, Monash University Museum of Art), Patrice Sharkey (Director, Westspace) and PABL Artistic Director, Phillip Adams with philanthropist, Dr Marcus McMahon who share a committee seat. 

The 2017 BMCAA shortlisted artists are Chris Bond, Lane Cormick, Eric Demetriou, Ruth O’Leary and Lisa Radford (working with collaborator Sam George). 

The award winning artist will present their work at Temperance Hall in August 2017 and the winner of the Award and exhibition dates will be announced shortly. 

THIS AWARD HAS BEEN ENABLED BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF DR MARCUS MCMAHON, PHILANTHROPIST AND FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE TEMPERANCE HALL SOCIETY.

Image: Jeff Busby

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