Twenty-six artists from across New Zealand have been named as finalists for the Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award, the annual competition which challenges Kiwi creatives to transform the iconic agricultural product into inspiring art.

Hosted by Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato and supported by the New Zealand National Fieldays Society, the Award is now in its 26th year and is recognised as a celebration of true ingenuity.

The artworks are chosen via a blind-judging process which keeps entrant identities confidential from the 2023 judge, sculptor Hannah Kidd (Ngaati Toa). Based in Methven, Kidd is renowned for her large-scale constructions made of welded steel which have been exhibited around the world.

'The nature of No.8 wire lends itself to be formed from its original purpose in to an array of unique and imaginative constructs. The entries in this year's competition have not disappointed,” says Hannah.

'Judging from images online is a good start, but I'm thoroughly looking forward to seeing the finalist works in real life.”

Chairman of the New Zealand National Fieldays Society, Jenni Vernon says she is delighted to see our Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award back as part of the lead up to the Fieldays in June.

'Recognising and rewarding New Zealand creativity is important. Not only is the artwork inspiring but the stories behind the completed pieces are so individual. I am really looking forward to be able to make a Chairman's choice!”

The winner of the Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award will receive a cash prize of $7,000. Prizes of $1,000 and $500 are presented for the second and third place winners respectively. Further prizes are also awarded for People's Choice and Chariman's Choice.

The sixteen finalist works will be available to view and purchase in a month-long exhibition at Hamilton's ArtsPost Galleries & Shop, opening this year on Friday May 26.

The 2023 finalists for the Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award are:

Dagmar Elliott
Teuila Fatupaito
Helen Fuller
Tony Gray
Jevon Howe
Asaki Kajima
John McKenzie
Jane Mortimer and Dave Sole
Heather Olesen
Susan Rhodes
Ricks Terstappen (two works)
Tira
Jeff Thomson and Bev Goodwin
Dinah and Mark Walker
Yasmin Yussofasmin
Waikato Creative Stitchers (Josina Ellis, Liz Wilson, Sue Truman, Barbara Rosenberg, Sue Lynch, Marianne Lock, Katherine Fell)

2023 competition details:

First prize: $7,000
Second prize: $1,000
Third prize: $500
Chairman's Choice: $100 ArtsPost voucher
People's Choice: $100 ArtsPost voucher
Winners announced/award ceremony: Thursday 25 May 2023
Exhibition: Friday 26 May – Sunday 2 July 2023
Venue: ArtsPost, 120 Victoria Street, Hamilton. Open daily 10am – 5pm.

For more information, go to www.waikatomuseum.co.nz/no8wire

Fieldays

Fieldays is on at Mystery Creek June 14 – 17 2023. Fieldays is the largest agricultural event in the Southern Hemisphere drawing visitors from around the globe.
Fieldays is run by New Zealand National Fieldays Society, a charitable organisation founded in 1968 for the purpose of advancing primary industries.
The New Zealand National Fieldays Society thanks their partners and premier sponsor Case IH, Hyundai, Ministry of Primary Industries, and One NZ for their continued support.

For more information head to www.fieldays.co.nz