2015 Sidney Myer Fund Australian Ceramic Award. Winner Announced by Shepparton Art Museum

Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) is delighted to announce the winner of the biennial Sidney Myer Fund Australian Ceramic Art Award (SMFACA), the premier national award for artists working in ceramics.
The $50,000 acquisition prize has been awarded to Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran.

Deputy Director, National Gallery Australia and former Director of SAM Kirsten Paisley described the work of Ramesh as “an extraordinary body of major sculptural works that are exceptionally exciting.” Ramesh focuses “on diverse sources from pre-colonial Hindu devotional sculpture to Christianity and sexualized bodies he explores fertility and creation, religion and gender. His work evokes the energy and reverence of `the deity’ while embodying the playfulness of a story-book action hero.”

This year’s Sidney Myer Fund Australian Ceramic Art Award exhibition supports the rich, vibrant and diverse use of the ceramic medium, and includes the work by five contemporary artists Adam John Cullen, Penny Byrne, Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran, Ruth Hutchinson and Sanné Mestrom. SAM Acting Director Rebecca Coates explains that “each of the five artists shortlisted has created an outstanding new body of work that not only extends their own artistic practice, but also challenges our understanding of ceramics within a contemporary context.“

All five finalists were judged on the following criteria detailed by Ms Coates “the conceptual premise of the work and approach to the opportunity; technical ability and engagement with materiality; and spatial considerations – how the work inhabited the space. The work also needed to be innovative, to challenge, excite and intrigue.”

All five artists’ works will be on display at the Shepparton Arts Museum until November.

Shepparton Art Museum is proudly provided by Greater Shepparton City Council, located at 70 Welsford Street, Shepparton. For general enquiries and bookings please contact: (03) 5832 9861, email art.museum@shepparton.vic.gov.au, or visit www.sheppartonartmuseum.com.au. Open 7 days, 10am to 4pm, public holidays 1pm to 4pm. SAM is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @SAM_Shepparton

Image: Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran, Archipelago, 2015, mixed media, dimensions variable, Shepparton Art Museum

For further information on this media release please contact:

Gabriella Calandro, Marketing Coordinator Shepparton Art Museum
P:
(03) 5832 9522
E:
gabriella.calandro@shepparton.vic.gov.au