Cyril Knox Art Prize Exhibition

Cyril Knox Art Prize

The Cyril Knox Art Prize is the biennial award that recognises and celebrates the best Aboriginal artists in North West NSW.

Whitehaven Coal (Whitehaven) partnered with Narrabri Shire Council to deliver the inaugural Cyril Knox Art Prize exhibition at The Crossing Theatre in Narrabri, from Saturday 18th November until Friday 24th November 2023. The theme for the prize was “For our Elders”, echoing that of NAIDOC Week 2023.

The top 10 finalists in each category will have their artworks displayed for the week, with the community invited to come along and experience the artists’ unique talents for themselves. The inaugural Cyril Knox Art Prize winner will be announced in late November via Whitehaven, Narrabri Shire Council and Arts North West’s social media platforms. The winner is set to receive $5,000 while community members will be able to vote for the people’s choice award, with the winner to receive $1,500. There is also a junior prize of $500. Members of the Knox family will be on the judging panel for the awards, alongside representatives of Narrabri Shire Council and Whitehaven Coal.

The Cyril Knox Art Prize is named in honour of Cyril Knox, a well-known Narrabri local and exceptionally talented Aboriginal artist. The Prize celebrates his artistic talents, while also encouraging emerging Aboriginal artists to follow in his footsteps.

The Cyril Knox Art Prize is a new initiative developed by Whitehaven to support its Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) activities.

Further information is also available on the Whitehaven website.

Cyril Knox Art Prize Exhibition

On Saturday 18 November 2023, the opening of the inaugural Cyril Knox Art Prize was held at The Crossing Theatre Narrabri. The opening was attended by Mark Coulton MP, Member for Parkes, and members of the Knox family. The judging panel for the awards included representatives of Narrabri Shire Council and Whitehaven Coal and members of the Knox family.

Arts North West congratulates the winners of the exhibition and thanks Whitehaven Coal and Narrabri Shire Council for partnering on such a great exhibition.

Ethan Towns took out first place, receiving $5,000 for his entry “The Shape of Changing”. The People’s Choice Award was awarded to Jason Brown, who received $1,500 prize money. And the Junior Prize of $500 was awarded Casey Lamb and Tully Renaud, who are both 9 years of age, for their outstanding entry!

Tania Hartigan was a representative of Arts North West and exercised her Curatorial skills under the guidance of Lisa Almagro from the Wee Waa Community Arts & Cultural Centre and Paul Shelly from The Crossing Theatre. Tania’s participation in this project was made possible with funding from the Australian Government’s IVIAS program.

Read the full story on the Whitehaven website here!