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Tony White Memorial Art Prize

FOR A YOUNG EMERGING AUSTRALIAN ARTIST

October long-weekend 2-5 October

Kangaroo Valley, NSW


Kangaroo Valley Hall Gallery, 179 Moss Vale Rd, Kangaroo Valley

Saturday/Sunday 9am-5pm, Monday 9am-2pm

Tony White was Australia’s most important jewellery designer. Over four decades, he created one-of-kind jewellery, carving out a singular space in the Australian art world. No one else matched his unique vision, versatility nor success. His designs were located in the world of fine art rather than craft and commerce.

Tony’s unusual and striking creations are held in private and public collections around the world including the National Gallery of Australia. His clients included prime ministers, governor generals and many Australian and international celebrities.


With his partner of 38 years, designer Alexander Michael, Tony amassed one of the most extraordinary private contemporary art collections in Australia, containing works by Jeffrey Smart, Margaret Olley, Brett Whiteley, Charles Blackman, Keith Looby, John Coburn, Donald French, Martin Sharp, Tim Storrier and John Olsen.

Having studied and practiced initially as an architect, Tony was also an aspiring painter. Working towards his first solo exhibition, he managed to finish the work, but sadly after a short battle with cancer, Tony didn’t make it for the opening. The exhibition, held at The SHAC, was a near sell-out. Thanks to the generosity of Alexander Michael, proceeds from that exhibition have allowed us to create and offer the first Tony White Memorial Art Prize for a young emerging Australian artist.

Curated by Jane Cush – former director, Goulburn Regional Art Gallery, also artist director, Canberra Glassworks and Southern Tablelands Arts.

Judged by Brenda May – owner/curator May Space, formerly Brenda May Gallery and Access Contemporary Art Gallery, Sydney & Damien Minton – formerly owner/curator Damien Minton Gallery, former coordinator Hughes and Watters Galleries, Sydney.

The Exhibition showcases emerging contemporary Australian artists from NSW and across Australia. Works include painting, digital, photographic and video art, multi-media and new media. Works range from contemporary to provocative work challenging boundaries by working with a range of contemporary concepts, subjects and mediums.

All finalists are being exhibited and are available for purchase over the October long-weekend (Friday 2 October – Monday 5 October) in the heritage Kangaroo Valley Hall. The Hall is transformed for the occasion into a professional art gallery.

If you are unable to visit in person – or would like a preview and later a review – all works are available via our Online Gallery at artsinthevalley.net.au/gallery.

Prizes for 2020:

· Tony White Memorial Art Prize - $5,000 – kindly donated by Alexander Michael from the proceeds of Tony White’s Last Impressions solo exhibition at the SHAC

· Commended - $1,000 – kindly donated by Alexander Michael from the same exhibition

Information: For more information, join our below mailing list, like us on Facebook or contact us at visualartsinthevalley@outlook.com.

Please join us in Australia’s most beautiful valley – just two hours from Sydney and Canberra.

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