The touring exhibition of the Wynne Prize 2025, Australia's oldest art prize, has opened at Orange Regional Gallery.
The Wynne Prize was established following a bequest by Richard Wynne and was first awarded in 1897 to mark the official opening of the Art Gallery of New South Wales at its present site.
Judged annually by the Art Gallery of New South Wales trustees, the prize is awarded to the best landscape painting of Australian scenery or for the best example of figurative sculpture by an Australian artist.
Orange City Council's Recreation and Culture Policy Committee Chair Tammy Greenhalgh said this was the second time Orange had been selected to host the touring exhibition of one of Australia's most significant art awards.
Wynne Prize 2025 finalist, Vipoo Srivilasa Silent allies © the artist
"This is a major cultural win for regional residents," Cr Greenhalgh said.
"It's a great opportunity for our local community, and the many visitors to Orange, to see the best of Australian contemporary landscape painting and sculpture in our own backyard, something that regional communities often miss out on."
"Many of the works depict the landscapes of regional Australia, which only adds to the significance of bringing these nationally significant exhibitions to regional areas."
This year 52 finalists were selected from 758 entries for the best landscape painting of Australian scenery or figurative sculpture and 49 are touring to Orange.
