Judges
Independent Selection Panel
New Tides is supported by an independent Selection Panel comprising respected New Zealand artists with experience across a range of artistic disciplines.
Working independently, the panel assesses eligible entries anonymously, helping ensure that selection is based on the strength of the artwork itself rather than the identity or background of the artist.
Art by the River undertakes an initial review before eligible entries are provided to the external Selection Panel.
The Selection Panel recommends artworks for inclusion in the finalist exhibition. Art by the River then curates the finalist exhibition, taking those recommendations into account.
The Art by the River Award is determined by Art by the River following consultation with the Selection Panel. The Audience Award is decided by visitors to the finalist exhibition.
Julie Whyman
Mixed Media Artist
Julie Whyman is an established mixed media artist based in the Waikato. Working intuitively with paint, ink, pastel, collage and texture, her work explores the New Zealand landscape and native birdlife through richly layered compositions that balance abstraction and representation.
Entirely self-taught, Julie has developed a distinctive artistic practice through years of exploration and experimentation. Her work is held in private collections throughout New Zealand and overseas and is represented by galleries across the country.
Julie's experience as a practising contemporary artist brings valuable insight into the selection of works that demonstrate originality, technical ability and artistic potential.
Paul Hooker
Painter
Paul Hooker is an established New Zealand fine artist with more than forty years' experience as an exhibiting painter, professional illustrator and tertiary lecturer. Best known for his accomplished figurative and portrait oil paintings, his practice also encompasses landscape and still life.
Paul taught life drawing, fashion and figure studies at tertiary level for more than twenty years, including at Whitecliffe College of Art. His portraits have received awards and significant commissions, and he has been selected as a finalist in the Adam Portraiture Award six times. His commissioned work has included portraits of America's Cup skippers and a series of portraits for King's College in Auckland.
Paul's extensive experience as both a practising artist and art educator brings to the Selection Panel a strong understanding of figurative practice, painting, technical ability and artistic development.
Opposite: Respite by Paul Hooker
Anna Korver
Sculptor
Anna Korver is an internationally recognised New Zealand sculptor whose work spans wood, stone, bronze and fabricated steel. A graduate of the University of Canterbury with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Sculpture, she has built an international reputation through public commissions, sculpture symposia and exhibitions around the world.
Her work explores themes of the human figure, identity, balance and place, combining contemporary sculptural practice with exceptional technical skill. Anna has received numerous national and international awards and has twice been selected as a finalist in the Wallace Art Awards.
Anna's experience ensures that three-dimensional practice is strongly represented within the Selection Panel.
The Selection Process
New Tides uses a two-stage selection process.
Stage One – Initial Review
Art by the River reviews all entries to ensure they comply with the Eligibility & Rules before preparing eligible entries for assessment.
Stage Two – Independent Assessment
Eligible entries are assessed anonymously by the Selection Panel using the artwork images, Entry Number, title, medium, dimensions and artwork statement. Artist names and background information are not provided during this stage.
The Selection Panel independently considers whether each artwork should be recommended for inclusion in the finalist exhibition.
Art by the River then curates the finalist exhibition, taking the Selection Panel's recommendations into account.
For the Art by the River Award, the Selection Panel ranks the eligible finalist artworks. Art by the River considers those rankings before determining the recipient of the Award.
The Audience Award is determined by votes cast by visitors to the finalist exhibition.
Why an Independent Selection Panel?
New Tides is intended to celebrate outstanding contemporary art while encouraging new talent.
Using an independent Selection Panel helps ensure that every eligible entry is considered on its own merits and that a range of artistic perspectives contributes to the selection process.