17th Estuary Art and Ecology Award Opening

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
Now open

Entries Close
Saturday 27 May 2023, Midnight

Exhibition of Finalists
1 July to 26 August 2023

Awards Ceremony
Saturday 1 July 2023, 2:30PM