Entries for second-ever ILT Murihiku Art Awards set to close

Time is running out for artists to enter the ILT Murihiku Art Awards 2025.

The nationally-recognised awards, a collaboration between the Invercargill Public Art Gallery and the Southland Art Society, celebrate outstanding contemporary visual art in all mediums.

Entries are due by 5pm on Friday 5 September.

He Waka Tuia Manager Sarah Brown said the awards gave artists the opportunity to connect with their peers and see their work suitably celebrated.

“We’re extremely excited to see pieces from artists based here in Southland and further afield, and showcase their artistic endeavours to our community,” she said.

The awards were a way to recognise contemporary visual artists from throughout the motu, no matter their medium – entries could include painting, printmaking, sculpture, jewellery, photography, digital, graphic, or video-based works, Brown said.

“We’re incredibly grateful for the generosity of our sponsors, the ILT and Beattie McDowell Architects. Their support means we are able to recognise our winning artists with meaningful prizes, to help them continue to bring their artistic visions to life.”

The ILT Murihiku Art Awards had a total prize pool of $20,000, with the Supreme Award winner set to receive $8000. Other categories included a Rangatahi Award for a young artist, the People’s Choice Award, and the Beattie McDowell Southland Award for a local artist.

Artists could submit up to two original visual artworks for selection. All entries must be one-off original artworks, completed within the last 12 months, and not previously exhibited within Murihiku, she said.

The awards would be selected by independent guest judges, and winners would be announced at an event at He Waka Tuia on Friday 10 October.

The exhibition would open to the public on 11 October, and would run until 16 November, Brown said.

The inaugural ILT Murihiku Art Awards were held in 2024. The exhibit attracted more than 200 entries, with 65 finalists selected.