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On Thursday 27 April, Australian painter Tomislav Nikolic was awarded the prestigious Bulgari Art Award. The prize, now in its sixth year, offers Australian artists a cash prize of $80,000 as well as a residency in Rome, Italy valued at $30,000.
Tomislav Nikolic Just before the most significant events, people are particularly prone to deny the possibilities of the future. (cause all we’re doing is learning how to die), 2014-17, acrylic polymer, marble dust, 24ct gold leaf, 12ct white gold leaf, copper leaf, museum acrylic on canvas and wood, 186.4 × 236.5 × 17cm © Tomislav Nikolic
Nikolic’s painting Just before the most significant events, people are particularly prone to deny the possibilities of the future (cause all we’re doing is learning how to die) (2017), stood out for it’s evocative use of color that is framed by the transition from a bright canary yellow into deep blood red. The award, which focuses on helping Australian artists in their mid-career, will benefit the painter, whose global exhibition history, in places like Australia, Germany and upcoming in Spain, has been met with critical and public acclaim. As well as the financial assistance, Nikolic’s practice will be benefited with media attention and the opportunity to have his work become part of the Art Gallery of NSW’s permanent collection.
Managing Director of Bulgari Australia, Brad Harvey sees the award as “both a celebration of, and support for, Australia’s visual artists”, recognising the intense labour put into Nikolic’s work that culminated over a three-year period from 2014-2017. As a representative of the Bulgari business, Harvey sees art as an important way that the global jewelry, accessory and hotel brand, can contribute to culture in Australia in a way that inspires, challenges and motivates a new and strong generation of Australian artists.
Tomislav Nikolic, Just before the most significant events, people are particularly prone to deny the possibilities of the future (cause all we’re doing is learning how to die), 2017, Acrylic polymer, marble dust, 24ct gold leaf, 12ct white gold leaf, copper leaf, museum acrylic on canvas and wood, 186.4 x 236.5 x 17.0cm frame. Courtesy the artist and Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney
The award was judged by AGNSW Trustees and senior curatorial staff who admired how Nikolic’s artwork departed from the realism of its inspiration, Caravaggio’s Judith beheading Holofernes (1599-1602), whilst adopting it’s rich use of color and drama through an intense process of layering. Michael Brand, Director AGNSW, praised Nikolic’s work as “a sublime example of how experiential the painting medium can be”, whilst offering his own enthusiasm at being able to collect the work as part of the gallery’s permanent collection.
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