27 September 2004

Winner of the last year’s $20,000 Energex Arbour Contemporary Art Prize, Bronwyn Wright was today announced as a finalist in the 2004 national photographic competition

Bronwyn Wright's 2004 finalist entry, Dynamic Play

Ms Wright, who is the Lecturer and Course Coordinator for Graphic Design at Charles Darwin University, said she was thrilled to be short listed for her work, Dynamic Play.

“Winning the inaugural 2003 Prize was amazing but to be considered again just blows me away.”

Ms Wright has produced one of the six images that have reached finalist stage from more than 100 Australian entries.

The six finalist images, produced under the Prize’s theme of ‘Australians at Play’, were unveiled today as large photographic banners at Southbank in Brisbane.

Since being named the inaugural winner of the ENERGEX Arbour Contemporary Art Prize in 2003 for her image, Jump! 4EVER Family, Ms Wright has showcased her work in eight exhibitions spanning the east coast from Melbourne to Darwin.

The Swamp, an area on the edge of Darwin’s northern suburbs, provides the inspiration for Ms Wright’s work

Open to professional photographers, the ENERGEX Arbour Contemporary Art Prize awards $20,000 to the winner which will be announced 30 September.

About Dynamic Play:

“The masked figure is dynamic, irreverent and playful but there is irony in the spent firecracker held aloft - 'American Power.' The colourful beach ball is a universal symbol of play. The ball in particular reminds us of our coast dwelling Australian population but it is also a globe, a sphere and a symbol for the world.

“This image is essentially playful but it also implies power play on a world stage, both cultural and political. There is an undertow of threat implicit in the current state of world politics.

“Let's not forget the artist. The photographer is also 'at play' in visualising and capturing with the help of light and technology, the desired image.

“Dynamic Play is ultimately playful but it contributes to the idea that the role of artists is important in building on society's idea and image of itself.”