News Brief
Prized art in the city
The 16th Redlands Westpac Art Prize will be presented at the National Art School in Darlinghurst next year, moving from its previous home at Mosman Art Gallery.
The prestigious Prize will award established and emerging artists with a total of $30,000. Artwork from its Australian and New Zealand entrants will be exhibited from May 2 to June 2.
Redlands Principal, Dr Peter Lennox said he was delighted the latest works by leading contemporary artists would be showcased at the National Art School.
“The move in 2012 to the esteemed National Art School – in the heartland of Sydney’s art world – allows the Prize to further expand its reach to new audiences,” Dr Lennox said.
The Prize welcomes entries from all mediums including painting, photography, installation, sculpture and new media.
Director of the National Art School, Professor Anita Taylor said the relocation of the Prize would provide mentoring to emerging artists.
“The Prize reflects our belief in established artists contributing to the development and mentoring of the next generation, and fosters mentoring and collaboration between established and emerging artists,” Ms Taylor said.
Sydney schools jam together at world competition
Sydney schools have done the nation proud scoring top positions in the first ever Global Rock Challenge Championships.
With almost 700 schools competing across three divisions, Randwick Boys and Girls High School scored second in the RAW Division.
Australian students performed against schools from New Zealand, the UK and Japan, with a total of seven schools from the greater Sydney area also scoring in most divisions.
The competition included a People’s Choice Award which received more that 16,000 online votes from students,teachers and community members.
Sydney, the city of protests
Thousands of Sydney activists hit Darling Harbour on the weekend to raise their voices outside the Australian Labor Party’s Conference.
Gay activists sought to amplify their message about marriage equality just outside the ALP event to prompt law reforms.
Refugee rights activists also took to the streets slamming the ALP decision to relaunch the “offshore” processing of asylum seekers into party policy.
Speaking on behalf of the national refugee campaign meeting, Ian Rintoul, said: “Any plan to expel asylum seekers to Malaysia, or any other third country is a fundamentally [against] Australia’s obligation to provide protection for who arrive on our shores fleeing persecution.”
Representatives from 10 refugee rights groups gathered after discovering the government’s plan to reopen the Malaysian Solution to discuss the need to escalate the campaign to free the refugees over the coming year.
These protesters were also joined by rallyers who demonstrated against the ALP decision to support uranium exports to India since the nation is not a signatory of the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
By Leanne Elahmad
