At its core, the Dobell Drawing Prize has always posed the fundamental question: what is drawing? Over the past 30 years since the biennial Prize began in 1993, the answers have been compelling, challenging and exhilarating, as artists across the country have responded using an astonishing array of mediums and materials. The Sir William Dobell Art Foundation is delighted to support this new iteration of the Dobell Drawing Prize in partnership with the National Art School in 2023.

Presented for the first time at the National Art School Gallery in 2019, the Dobell Drawing Prize builds on the legacy of Australia’s most respected award for drawing, the Dobell Prize for Drawing, previously held at the Art Gallery of New South Wales from 1993 to 2012. Former Prize winners include Kevin Connor, Virginia Grayson, Nicholas Harding, Ann Pollak, Gareth Sansom, Jan Senbergs, Garry Shead and Aida Tomescu.

This third iteration of the Prize at NAS Gallery includes entries in many media, from traditional pencil and graphite on paper to salt, staples and rust; from resin, fibreglass, enamel and wood to intricate three-dimensional wire objects; bodily video performance to sculptural forms built with tea bags and bamboo. The exhibition is again a vital tribute to the human ingenuity and imagination that arises from the simple act of making a mark, and NAS is proud to continue one of Australia’s preeminent art competitions into the 21st Century. The three judges, artist Catherine O’Donnell (and previous Dobell Drawing Prize finalist); Paula Latos-Valier from the Sir William Dobell Art Foundation; and NAS Gallery Manager and Senior Curator Katrina Cashman had the challenging task of individually reviewing a record of 1,062 entries and awarded the Prize to Jane Grealy on Thursday 30th March 2023.