Liam Benson, award winner

Artereal Gallery would like to congratulate Liam Benson on winning the 2012 Hawkesbury Art Prize.

The $10,000 prize was awarded by a panel of judges which included Max Miller, artist; Emeritus Prof. Peter Pinson and artist, curator, activist and academic.

Liam Benson, Mrs Boss slays the malevolent scoundrel_2011_Digital print_Edition of 5_120 x 83cm

Historically, the Hawkesbury has had a strong association with art and artists, both indigenous and non-indigenous, which dates back to Australia’s earliest European settlement. The Hawkesbury Art Prize is a commitment to recognise these historical ties, and strengthen the cultural and artistic community ties with contemporary creative ideas. It has been set up as a not for profit project run by Purple Noon Gallery, in association with Patron, Maggie Scott. The prize is awarded to a painting, photograph or collage dealing with contemporary Australian identity.

Liam Benson is a performance artist who documents his work through photography, video and new media. Benson’s work deconstructs the social perceptions of gender, race, culture, sexuality and identity by cross-referencing art, popular culture and media language.

Liam Benson has been exhibiting and performing since 2002. His works are held in significant public and private collections. In 2011 he was awarded the Hazelhurst Art on Paper Award judged by Ben Quilty and the Contemporary Award category of the Fishers Ghost Art Award judged by MCA curator Glenn Barkley.