The Naked & Nude Art Prize is the only award of its kind in Australia and attracts entries from across the country from artists at all stages of their careers and working in all mediums.

Art gallery director, Rachel Piercy said regardless of the current restrictions the gallery team was glad to be able to continue to support the creative community.

"While our doors might be closed we were committed to seeing Naked & Nude promoted to both our local community and further afield digitally through our website and social media channels," Ms Piercy said.

"We're delighted with the breadth of people we were able to reach, it's wonderful exposure for the artists but it's a really lovely thing to be a part of, for those in lockdown."

The theme 'Naked & Nude' is an evocative platform for creative inspiration, and artists delve into representations of the human form.

With a history dating back to ancient times across many cultures, the exposed human figure is one of the most enduring themes in the visual arts and remains relevant to artists across all disciplines.

Due to current NSW Public Health Orders it was impossible to bring the judge, Wendy Sharpe to the Mid Coast so for the first time in the 30-year history of the prize, judging took place virtually.

A virtual walk through was conducted with Wendy to complete the judging.

In announcing 'Moving House' as the winner for Naked & Nude Art Prize 2021, Wendy highlighted the obvious intimacy between the subject and artist.

"This painting is a disarmingly intimate and personal work, the work is more naked than nude, both painter and sitter have an intimate understanding of each other."

Wendy also highly commended works from two other artists which she believed showed the intimate relationship between artists and subject as well, Nick Stathopolous with the work 'Alone in the half-light' and Dagmar Cyrulla's work 'Grateful'.

Three other commended works mentioned were Tyler Arnold 'Self Portrait with kitchen knife', Mica Pillemer 'Closing In', and Nicole Kelly 'Ubique'.

The lucrative event carries a $30,000 Acquisitive prize, with the winning entry acquired by the Friends of the Gallery and donated to the Manning Regional Art Gallery permanent collection.

"We'd like to extend our thanks to Dr Philip Walkom and Mrs Dusty Walkom OAM, gallery patrons and major sponsors of the prize since its inception," Ms Piercy said.

The Naked & Nude exhibition continues until Sunday, Sunday 10 at the Manning Regional Art Gallery, with the team hopeful the public will be allowed to go in and experience it.

For more information about and other great Art Gallery events, visit mrag.midcoast.nsw.gov.au follow the Gallery on Facebook.

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