Now in its tenth yr, the awards concentrate on artwork from rising and mid-career artists in Canterbury.
The 2026 awards ceremony was held at Rokowhiria Ashburton Artwork Gallery and Museum.
Director Shirin Khosraviani stated she was thrilled to see the awards develop in recognition and recognition because it reached its decade milestone.
There have been 84 entries – 23 finalists have been chosen from 47 entries for the Premier Award, whereas 23 entries have been featured in a Younger Technology Award class, for these aged 16 to twenty.
The Premier Award was received by Miranda Parkes from Christchurch for her work Dreamchaser.
In her artist assertion, Miranda described her work as being supported by “a weighty industrial delivery pallet”.
“The pallet’s three-dimensional face, lined with ridges and indentations, provides a extremely textured floor.”
Parkes navigates the topography of this floor, “typically following the concave valleys or convex protrusions, typically departing from them in natural, overlapping swimming pools”.
“As soon as an object of commercial service, dreamchaser now inhabits the house of artwork, drawing consideration to the way in which we place worth on objects.”
Decide Anna McLean stated she and fellow judges Bridie Lonie and Kim Pieters had their work minimize out for them, with ‘‘various and thrilling’’ entries.
She stated Parkes’ Dreamchaser portray stood out from the start.
“The vibrancy and depth inside this work offered a refreshing escape that’s hopeful and joyous.
“The standard of the work and the artist’s important method allowed us to see this work simply siting throughout the context of a solo exhibition.’’
Together with a money prize of $4000, Parkes received the chance to create a solo exhibition at Rokowhiria in 2027.
The ZAWAA26 Younger Technology Award went to Georgia Swale of Christchurch for her portray Wairua.
The judges described the work as having a ‘‘robust sense of self, and a transparent inventive route into the long run’’. Additionally they famous the work’s connections to each Georgia’s Pa ¯keha ¯ and Ma ¯ori whakapapa , which they described as considerate and well timed.
The ZAWAA awards exhibition might be on show till April 19.
Guests to the gallery are inspired to decide on their favorite art work for the Folks’s Selection award.
Julia Holderness received the ZAWAA25 Premier Award together with her exhibition Botanical Correspondents: Crossing time with Julia Holderness and Emily Cumming Harris can be on show.
Emily Cumming Harris (1837-1925) is best-known for portray the indigenous flora of Aotearoa, producing tons of of artworks in her studio in Nelson.
100 years after her demise, her exceptional work proceed to ask audiences to ponder the fantastic thing about the pure world. On this exhibition, Holderness responds creatively to her life, work and creative practices.
Botanical Correspondents may even run till April 19.
The awards exhibition is delivered by way of a partnership between the Zonta Membership of Ashburton and Rokowhiria, and generously supported by native organisations together with Ashburton District Inventive Communities.
The ZAWAA26 and Botanical Correspondents exhibition will run till April 19.
