The annual award, hosted by Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato and supported by the New Zealand National Fieldays Society, challenges artists to turn an iconic Kiwi farming product into art and stake their claim to a share of $8500 in prize money.
Innovative New Zealand sculptor Hannah Kidd will judge the 2023 Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award. Renowned for her large-scale constructions made of welded steel, Methven-based Kidd will select the finalists and prize winners through a blind judging process that keeps the artist names secret.
“We’re thrilled to have Hannah on board as her sculpture practice has a strong connection to agriculture and its function in our natural environment. She has first-hand knowledge of the ingenuity required to create art from unusual and unruly materials,” Liz Cotton, director of museum and arts at the Waikato Museum, said.
“Fieldays is an iconic event and Waikato Museum is proud to be associated with it through the No.8 Wire National Art Award.”
James Allen, president of the New Zealand National Fieldays Society, said each year the awards bring new creative and dynamic interpretations of the humble agricultural material of No.8 wire.
“For the society, the awards are a unique nod to our agricultural roots whilst providing opportunities for the wider arts community which we are delighted to continue to support.”
Entries for 2023 close at 1pm on Friday, April 14, and the award will culminate in a free exhibition at Hamilton’s ArtsPost Galleries and Shop, opening on Friday, May 26.
This year’s winner will receive $7000, with prizes of $1000 and $500 for the second and third place-getters respectively, and further prizes awarded for People’s Choice and President’s Choice.
To read the competition criteria and access the entry form, visit www.waikatomuseum.co.nz/no8wire