Estuary Art Awards
The only contemporary art prize in Aotearoa New Zealand with ecology at its core.
Artists were invited to research and respond to the Tāmaki Estuary, to underscore the ecological value of this vital waterway and encourage action against its pollution.
With a total prize pool of $10,000, the winning artworks are intelligent and innovative responses to ecology in the field of contemporary art.
This year’s entries will be judged by Benjamin Work.
Benjamin Work is an artist, Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland-born and raised, with Tongan and Scottish heritage. Work’s evolution exemplifies the new trajectories of artists reared on American sub/pop culture, while also explicitly exploring the complexities of both cultural institutions and the Moana Oceania diaspora. He currently resides alongside the Tāmaki Estuary in Pakuranga where throughout his life he has experienced the changing complexities and pressures upon this unique ecosystem. He was awarded the 2019 CMBB Para Site International Art Residency in Hong Kong, a 2021 Finalist – Molly Morpeth Canaday Awards and author of Whenua Fonua ‘Enua and Motutapu books. He continues to exhibit both nationally and internationally and is represented by Bergman Gallery.
Call for Entries
Entries are CLOSED
Exhibition of Finalists
1 July to 26 August 2023
Awards Ceremony
Saturday 1 July 2023, 2:30PM
Image: Daisy Nicholas, Coastal Echo, 2022
The only contemporary art prize in Aotearoa New Zealand with ecology at its core.
Artists are invited to research and respond to the Tāmaki Estuary, to underscore the ecological value of this vital waterway and encourage action against its pollution.
With a total prize pool of almost $10,000, the winning artworks are intelligent and innovative responses to ecology in the field of contemporary art.
For more information about the Tāmaki Estuary and the work of the Tāmaki Estuary visit the Tāmaki Estuary Environmental Forum (TEEF) visit TEEF Facebook.
Exhibition of Finalists
6 July to 31 August 2024
People’s Choice
Friday 6 September 2024
Congratulations to this years’ finalists:
Hannah Arnold, Alexander Bailey, Ngahina Belton-Bodsworth, Cathy Carter, Julia Christey, Matthew Dowman, Jocelyn Friis, Marion Gordon-Flower, Helen Harvey, Geena Zelma Hill, Niki Simpkin-Hill, Rowan Holt, Atina Hu, Judith Lawson, Alysn Midgelow-Marsden, Chris Mules, Daisy Nicholas, Ainsley O’Connell, Kate Parker, Karen Sewell, Bridget Sutherland, and Sheyne Tuffery.
Congratulations to this years’ winners:
First Place – Matthew Dowman, Tūna
Second Place – Cathy Carter, Eyes Wide Open
Third Place – Alysn Midgelow-Marsden, Mitigation at the Margins
Merit Awards – Rowan Holt, I see you in the estuary
Merit Awards – Ainsley O’Connell, Life Cycle
People’s Choice Award – Kate Parker, Te Whakahoki – The Return
To read more about our winners, click here.
Main image credit: Daisy Nicholas, Reflective Tides, 2023
The only contemporary art award in Aotearoa New Zealand with ecology at its core.
Artists have been invited to research and respond to the Tāmaki estuary – to underscore the ecological value of this vital waterway, and to encourage action against its pollution.
With a total prize pool of $10,000, this year the award ceremony will again celebrate the winning artworks chosen by our judge. Returning as judge is Francis McWhannell, who will select artworks for the 16th Estuary Art and Ecology Award based on their innovative and intelligent response to ecology and the Tāmaki Estuary. He has also selected a number of other entries for display outside the main gallery. These entries will also be open for the Rice Family Partnership’s People’s Choice Award.
Exhibition
Saturday 2 July – 27 August 2022
Finalists
Wesley John Fourie – First Prize
Perry Projects – Second Prize
Rozana Lee – Third Prize
Ramon Robertson – Merit
Alby Yap – Merit
Amanda Watson
Celeste Sterling
Agnès Desombiaux Sigley
Daisy Nicholas
Milvia Romici
Mā Te Huruhuru Artists
Jill McArthur
Richard Osborne
Gillian Green
Ekaterina Dimieva
Suzette van Dorsser
Gail Barratt
Maggy J
Phillippa Bentley
Ainsley O’Connell
Awards Ceremony
Saturday 3 July, 2:30PM 2021
Exhibition
Saturday 3 July – 28 August 2021
The only contemporary art award in Aotearoa New Zealand with ecology at its core.
Artists have been invited to research and respond to the Tāmaki estuary – to underscore the ecological value of this vital waterway, and to encourage action against its pollution.
UXBRIDGE is pleased to welcome the Tāmaki Estuary Environmental Forum as partner and sponsor for this year’s event. The prize pool is now $10,000. Our judge, Francis McWhannell, has selected 23 artworks for the 15th Estuary Art and Ecology Award based on their innovative and intelligent response to ecology and the Tāmaki Estuary. He has also selected a number of other entries for display outside the main gallery. These entries will also be open for the Rice Family Partnership’s People’s Award.
2021 Finalists
- Mā Te Huruhuru Artists (First Prize)
- Katie Theunissen (Second Prize)
- Divyaa Kumar (Third Prize)
- Jenny Tomlin (Merit)
- Franca Bertani (Merit)
- Alby Yap (People’s Choice Award – sponsored by Wally Rice Family Partnership)
- Kiri Abraham
- Ina Arraoui
- Gail Barratt
- Emily Brown
- Guinevere Cherrill
- Julie Christey
- Karen Danes
- Matt Dowman
- Emma Fromont
- Dani Henke
- Amanda Hewlett
- Jen Huebert
- Kim Logue
- Minke Lupa
- TSU
- Marion Wassenaar
- Isabella Young
Concourse Exhibition
- Anna Gibbs
- Deborah Hide-Bayne
- Maria Lambert
- Janet Mazenier
- Marie-Louise Myburgh
- Penny Otto
- Celeste Sterling
- Celia Walker
- Amanda Watson
- Alvin Xiong
- Nuanzhi Zheng
Signature Image: Confluence – 2020 Estuary Art Awards (Merit)
Cathy Tuato’o Ross, Bindy Caesar, Penny Fitt, Heather Hunt, Richard Hunter, Julia Newland
We have selected this image for the 2021 Estuary Art Awards as it is the result of a creative collaboration and is a conscious response to the dilemma of the Tāmaki Estuary’s past, present, and future. It involved conversation, negotiation, learning, and incorporates knowledge of place with knowledge of colonial history and the effects of human activity on the land, the water, and the climate. Restoring, preserving, and respecting the ecology of Tāmaki Estuary is an ongoing project that will require conversations, listening, negotiation, and collaborative action across the different perspectives of all those affected – a confluence.
9 July to 19 August 2018
Opening Saturday 7 July, 2.30PM
The only contemporary art prize in Aotearoa New Zealand with ecology at its core. Artists are invited to research and respond to the Tāmaki Estuary, to underscore the ecological value of this vital waterway and encourage action against its pollution. With a total prize pool of $8,300 the winning artworks will be intelligent and innovative responses to ecology in the field of contemporary art.
Judge: Paul Brobbel
Congratulations to the winners of the Estuary Art and Ecology Prize 2018
Marion Wassenaar (First Prize), Wei Lun Ha (Second Prize), Mish O’Neill (Merit), Michelle Farrell (Merit)
People’s Choice Award Winners were Jim Wheeler and Rozana Lee
With support from Gordon Harris, Rice Family Partnership and
Saturday 10 March, 8.00AM – 11.00AM
The Estuary Art and Ecology Prize for 2018 is coming!
We are kicking off EAA12 with projects to bring attention to this treasured part of our neighbourhood, as part of SeaWeek 2018.
First up is an early morning clean-up of Panmure Basin.
Join us on Saturday 10 March from 8AM to 11AM at Panmure Lagoon Sailing Club to help clean up this unique and vital catchment.
All materials supplied. Please wear closed footwear or gumboots.
Image: Roma Anderson, Liminal, 2017, Merit Award EAA11
Image: Kate van der Drift, Diptych First Quarter Moon to Full Moon, May, 2020
1st Place EAA14
Judge’s Tour 18th July, 2020
The only contemporary art prize in Aotearoa New Zealand with ecology at its core. Artists were invited to research and respond to the Tāmaki Estuary, to underscore the ecological value of this vital waterway and encourage action against its pollution.
Our judge this year, Monique Jansen, is an Auckland based artist and Head of Visual Arts at the Auckland University of Technology. She has exhibited nationally and internationally, and her work is held in many public and private collections. She was the winner of the inaugural Aotearoa/New Zealand National Parkin Drawing Prize in 2013. Monique is a committed environmentalist and organic gardener; working on transforming her home and community into a model of resilience, sustainable living, and active citizenship.
Thank you to all who have entered!
Below are the 25 finalists for this year’s Estuary Art and Ecology Prize:
- Kiri Abraham
- Amber Adams
- Rick Allender
- Cristina Beth
- Lee Brogan
- Anthony Clarke
- Sarah Davis
- Alan Fletcher
- Wesley John Fourie
- Bobbie Gray
- Anna Hayes
- Janna Isbey
- Maggy Johnston
- Janet Mazenier
- Barnaby McBryde
- Neal Palmer
- Pass the Blue Collaborative
- Ramon Robertson
- Studio Reset
- Summer Shimizu
- Jenny Tomlin
- Wayne Trow
- Suzette van Dorsser
- Kate van der Drift
- Clovis Viscoe
Winners
- First Place: Kate van der Drift
- Second Place: Wesley John Fourie
- Merit: Alan Fletcher
- Merit: Pass the Blue Collaborative
Exhibition of Finalists
4 July to 30 August 2020
Judge’s Tour
Saturday 18 July 2020, 2:30PM
12 June to 15 July 2017
The only contemporary art prize in Aotearoa New Zealand with ecology at its core. With a total prize pool of $8,300 the winning artworks will be intelligent and innovative responses to ecology in the field of contemporary art.
Judged by Ane Tonga
Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Awards:
First Place: Kohl Tyler-Dunshea
Second Place: Wendy Hannah
Merit Award: Bev Goodwin and Jeff Thomson
Merit Award: Roma Anderson
People’s Choice Award: Arielle Walker
Image: Kohl Tyler-Dunshea, Offerings (2017). First Place, 2017
2017 finalists:
Arielle Walker, Bev Goodwin and Jeff Thomson, Caroline Powley, Celeste Sterling, Cora-Allan Wickliffe, Dawn Johnstone, Hanna Shim, Hayley Nieuwoudt, Janna Isbey, Jennie De Groot, Jessica Kate Tweed, Jessica Pearless, Katy Metcalf, Kohl Tyler-Dunshea, Lee Brogan, Lucy Pierpoint, Michael Prosee, Mo Stewart, Reece King, Rick Allender, Roma Anderson, Rozana Lee, Sophie Foster, Suzette van Dorsser and Wendy Hannah
Thank you for support from Howick Local Board, Turanga Creek Wines and Rice Family Partnership
Exhibition of Finalists 29 July – 27 August 2016
Judged by Jon Bywater
Finalists: Cristina Beth, Anthony Clark, Karen Danes, Cushla Donaldson, Sonja Drake, Dorothy Giam, Neala Glass, Katy Gundesen, Anna Hayes, Niki Simpkin Hill, Thomas Lawley, Shaun Lee, Wendy Leung, Josh Lotz-Keegan, Steve Lovett, Zenica Mann, Dreama McFadyen with Marc and Psalm McFadyen, Emma McLellan, Marie-Louise Myburgh, Penny Otto, Jasper Owen, Emily Parr, Kristin Peren, Isabella Rasch, Jodie Salmond, Donna Turtle Sarten with Bernie Harfleet, A.D. Schierning, Huda Shakarchi, Katie Theunissen, Sam Thomas, Clovis Viscoe, Rainer Westeon with Claudia Dunes, and Alvin Xiong.
The only contemporary art prize in Aotearoa New Zealand with ecology at its core. Artists are invited to research and respond to the Tāmaki Estuary, to underscore the ecological value of this vital waterway and encourage action against its pollution. With a total prize pool of $8,300 the winning artworks will be intelligent and innovative responses to ecology in the field of contemporary art.
1st Place: Emily Parr
2nd Place: Cushla Donaldson
Merit Awards: Katie Theunissen & Katy Gundesen
People’s Choice Award: Sonja Drake
Image: Katie Theunissen, The Littoral Zone, 2016.
Make a Sew-Free Shopping Bag
Bring in an old t-shirt and learn how to create a shopping bag and reduce the amount of plastic you are using!
17 to 20 JUL, Daily 12.00PM to 1.00PM
Judge’s Tour with Paul Brobbel
Join us for a tour of the Estuary Art and Ecology Prize 2018 with this year’s judge, Paul Brobbel.
SUN 8 JUL, 11.30AM
Bright Ideas : The Estuary Sessions
During the Estuary Art and Ecology Prize, we will be focusing on people who are using art and social action to bring about environmental change.
18 JUL and 15 AUG, 10.00AM
Join 2017 Judge Ane Tonga for an insight into this year’s Awards including commentary on the Award Winners. Ane Tonga is an artist and curator. Currently, she is the Lead Exhibitions Curator at Rotorua Museum Te Whare Taonga o Te Arawa.
THUR 15 JUN, 6PM Malcolm Smith Gallery
Bird Illustration Workshop
Learn about the bird species in the Tamaki Estuary and learn to use pen and watercolour wash to create beautiful illustrations with multi-award winning artist Ginette Wang. Ginette Wang is a multi- award winning New Zealand watercolour artist, illustrator, published author and teacher, residing in Auckland.
SAT 17 JUN, 1PM to 4PM $69 incl. materials, Book via [email protected]
Estuary Clean-Up
Join us for a clean-up of the Tamaki Estuary with the Tamaki Estuary Protection Society. The heavily urbanised area surrounding the Estuary continues to seriously damage and endanger this unique and vital catchment. Continuing from the success of last year’s clean up; in 2017 we will again focus on the Panmure Basin where plastics continue to litter the environment and threaten its wildlife. Thanks to support from local businesses in and around Panmure Basin for supporting this initiative. All materials supplied. Please wear closed footwear or gumboots.
SAT 24 JUN, 11AM to 2PM Panmure Lagoon Sailing Club
Botanical Illustration Workshop
Learn about the threatened plant species in the Tamaki Estuary and learn to draw them at the same time! This unique workshop combines art and ecology in celebration of this year’s 10th Anniversary of the Estuary Art Awards. Develop your observation-based drawing and fine art techniques and capture the beauty of our natural world.
Tutor: Sandra Morris (botanical illustrator)
SAT 6 AUG, 10:00AM – 2:00PM
$49 (Materials Included)
Judge’s Tour with Jon Bywater
We are fortunate to have Jon Bywater as judge for the Estuary Art Awards 10th Anniversary. Join us for a special afternoon to hear Bywater speak about the artworks selected for the exhibition of finalists.
Jon Bywater is one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s foremost contemporary art critics. His writing on art and music has appeared in national publications including Art New Zealand, Landfall, The Listener and Reading Room, and in British and American periodicals such as Afterall, Artforum, e-Flux, Frieze, Mute and Wire, as well as numerous monographs and catalogues. In the past ten years, he was curator of the inaugural Arts Foundation New Generation Award, has served twice as a Walters Prize juror, and as judge of the National Contemporary Art Award hosted by Waikato Museum.
SAT 13 AUG, 12:00PM
$5 General Admission
Free for Friends of Malcolm Smith Gallery
Tamaki Estuary Clean Up
Let’s restore the quality of our environment! Join us to clean-up the Tamaki Estuary with the Tamaki Estuary Protection Society. This vital water-body is an incubator for nearly 400 plant species, some of which are threatened due in part to debris. This year, we will focus on the Panmure Basin, where plastics have come in as a result of the Estuary’s tidal flows. Spread the word and inspire others to protect our waterways!
All materials supplied. Please wear closed footwear or gumboots.
SAT 20 AUG, 12:00PM – 4:00PM
Panmure Lagoon Sailing Club