Prudence LeBreux
19/05/2012 9:19:19 PM |
When I grew up in Australia I noticed that there were two perceived standards ingrained in the national culture: the local and the international. You have heard it before when someone remarks: "That is really Australia Class" vs "Now that is truly World Class." The unspoken apology is that Australia was not quite good enough compete on the world stage.
But I have always seen things differently. When in 1974, as the founding Director of the Australian Centre for Photography, I published my first survey of contemporary Australian photographic practice ("New Photography Australia: A Selective Survey" ACP, 1974) I held the local work to a global standard, not some imagined local one. So just as this notion of a double standard wasn't true then, it certainly isn't true now.
So while the Moran Prizes may be limited to a national competition you should now know that I will be judging the work submitted against only one simple standard which is: "Is it any good?"
I'm excited by the fact that there has been an amazing windfall of submissions for this competition, one of the worlds richest art prizes. So if you have been thinking about this but haven't got your submission together yet, get on it! Show me what you've got! |
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Sergei Golikov
19/05/2012 9:24:04 PM |
That's very encouraging, I am entering the Contemporary Photographic Prize for the first time.
It took me nine attempts to eventually win a 3rd prize in the Nikon Photo Contest International
so persistence does pays off.
Thank you
Sergei |
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carol carlaw
21/05/2012 2:18:55 AM |
I also find this post encouraging. I have entered three images this year and am proud to be part of such a wonderful competiton and such a wonderful country. We have so many amazing artists in Australia and it is competitions such as the moran that support and promote the rich depth of talent that is world class.
Creativity is central to our well being and in this we are abundant. Thankyou for allowing me the priviledge to be a part of The Moran. |
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Sally Witchalls
25/05/2012 7:59:17 PM |
I am 13 years old and love photography. It is great to see that in Australia there is still such a flaring passion of photography .
Also that people of my age and younger are still encouraged to get behing the shutter and take a photo
is fantastic as they say a picture can tell a thousand words!
Thanks again Moran Prize
Sally
A very enthusiastic teen Photographer! |
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Anonymous
28/05/2012 9:58:25 PM |
Hi kind of off topic but on at the same time this is the first time i have entered,
when do they announce the winners i would love to see the photos !
thankyou |
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Sally Witchalls
31/05/2012 5:54:02 PM |
yeah me too
when do winners come out again???
guess they will be good!
can't wait
best of luck! |
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Karen Monaco
31/05/2012 7:20:36 PM |
This is the second time for me, and I wont be giving up until I get a place ....
The work seen on here is amazing, and I do feel humble entering, but I also
feel its something I need to do.
Good luck to everyone who has entered.
Karen |
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Anonymous
4/06/2012 10:55:51 AM |
Hi,
Does anyone know if they have contacted the short listed entries yet? I know it was supposed to be by last Thursday, but it looks like they did extend the entry date a few days, not sure if this will carry over to the short listing or not...
Any information would be greatly appreciated! |
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Anonymous
4/06/2012 2:53:52 PM |
Yeas I would love to know to!!!
Very excited to see how my photographs go.
Hopefully they will let people know rather soon
best of luck |
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Anonymous
5/06/2012 10:07:25 AM |
Hi,
Good Luck to all entry's,i have never been so excite about a photo competition before as i am this one as it's my first time i enter.
Even if i dont get anywhere "I WILL BE BACK" next time.
Cheers everyone
Happy Clicking |
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Anonymous
7/06/2012 1:12:40 AM |
Hi there, correct me if I'm wrong but I'm pretty sure they're contacting the short listed people tomorrow (7th June). Hope that helped anyone who was wondering. |
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Anonymous
7/06/2012 4:12:40 PM |
For the open competions this is true but for the schools competion all finalist will be contacted by the 14th.
goodluck and KEEP SMILING!!! |
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Anonymous
7/06/2012 6:11:29 PM |
Thanks for those details for this competition. What about for the National Portrait Prize? There seems to be a lot more discussions over here! Fingers crossed! |
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Sally Witchalls
7/06/2012 7:45:11 PM |
The date for the portrait prize finalist to be contacted is TBC (to be confirmed) on all Moran prize website links at the moment.
For the open competitions all finalist will be contacted by the 7th of June but for the schools competition all finalist will be contacted by the 14th. (I know I have already posted this above but it is an important date!?!)
Good luck, KEEP SMILING and remember that a photo is a window to the real world!!!!
Sally Witchalls -13yr Amateur Photographer
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Vicki Freer
7/06/2012 7:46:18 PM |
Hi, when do we get to see the short list cant wait to see the photographs.Thanks |
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Sally Witchalls
7/06/2012 7:53:07 PM |
The winners will be announced in the week commencing 16th July 2012 at the Sydney exhibition venue.
They will most probably then be put on the website to!
good luck
I can't wait to see the final pictures! |
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Vicki Freer
7/06/2012 7:56:03 PM |
Thank you Sally for all the information.Am also looking forward to seeing them too.
Happy Clicking. |
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Anonymous
7/06/2012 8:20:50 PM |
So, If we haven't had an email tonight then we are not shortlisted? is that the case! |
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Sally Witchalls
8/06/2012 4:31:43 PM |
If you are in the open competition yes....unless the moran people are running late.
Good luck and keep smiling |
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Anonymous
9/06/2012 8:29:13 PM |
Due to the extended entry date this year, does that mean finalists will be notified later than the 7th? Or have all the finalists been contacted already? |
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Sally Witchalls
9/06/2012 9:17:29 PM |
This has not been found out yet. Could any of the contacted finalist please let us know on the forum.
Thankyou |
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Anonymous
10/06/2012 6:09:14 PM |
It's a little frustrating how entrants are being kept out of the loop, a simple confirmation by Moran prize that finalists have indeed been contacted would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. |
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Anonymous
10/06/2012 6:47:42 PM |
I totally agree! with the Epsom Loupe awards and also the International Pano Awards etc. we were kept up to date and informed of every movement, all our posts were answered very promptly. I really think that in this day and age we also expect it. |
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Anonymous
10/06/2012 7:10:03 PM |
I second that, I have tried calling their office, emailing them, and posting on this forum. Yet I haven't receive any reply or acknowledgement that my questions have been received. I have checked Facebook and twitter for news, yet have received none. I'm very anxious to know where I have placed, I have been looking forward toward this competition for a while. Ultimately I'm just after some much needed peace of mind. What is the point of social media if you don't take advantage of it? |
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Anonymous
10/06/2012 7:44:23 PM |
DITTO!!! |
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Anonymous
10/06/2012 8:10:52 PM |
I wonder if last years entrants had the same problem? |
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Sally Witchalls
11/06/2012 10:13:54 AM |
All these posts are true-but I guess Moran needs time to make to right decission.
In the mean time we can all help each other by looking at the website and passing on any helpful information.
It's not worth getting fussed over something that can not be changed.
I'm sure Moran will let us all know soon
Best wishes
AND KEEP smiling!
Sally Witchalls
13yr old amateur photographer. |
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Anonymous
11/06/2012 12:14:28 PM |
A photographer I know has been contacted and told he has made the shortlist into the open catergory. So im guessing if you havent been then youve missed out? |
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Anonymous
11/06/2012 12:40:39 PM |
thanks that is very helpful!
well done to your friend!
you have given us a very vitaul peice of info
thankyou!
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Anonymous
11/06/2012 1:03:38 PM |
Could you please tell us when your friend was notified-if they do not mind.
I am thanking you also
Sally Witchalls |
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Anonymous
11/06/2012 4:03:59 PM |
Hi all,
I got my confirmation email on the 8th of June to say I was an Open Finalist. Hope that helps.
Also while I'm here can anyone tell me what the prizes actually are? I have no idea and can't find the information anywhere.
Thanks :) |
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Sally Witchalls
11/06/2012 4:09:04 PM |
Money basically search open prize moran prize on google and it will say on terms and conditions sheet
well done to you!!! |
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Anonymous
11/06/2012 7:27:52 PM |
Thank you so much for that peace of mind! And congratulations on getting into the open finalists!! |
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Anonymous
11/06/2012 7:55:35 PM |
does anyone know if they've announced the finalists for the secondary section yet?? |
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Anonymous
12/06/2012 1:15:50 PM |
The next question is when will they update their website with the 2012 entrants and finalists galleries? I am keen to see who made the finals! |
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Anonymous
12/06/2012 1:51:57 PM |
For such a prestigious foundation, they really need to overhaul their website and improve their PR. If what everyone here says is true, and that they don't reply to questions then that is clearly not good enough. |
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Anonymous
12/06/2012 3:43:24 PM |
Hi Everyone and thank you for entering the 2012 Moran Prizes. The photography judging was held last week and we've know contacted all of the open finalists for the Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize and the school finalists wil be contacted this week. We are in the process of placing semi-finalists on the website so you can expect to see them shortly. |
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Sally Witchalls
12/06/2012 5:34:38 PM |
Thankyou!
very helpful |
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Anonymous
14/06/2012 10:14:00 AM |
I have just been contacted today that I am a semi-finalist and it is the 14th of June! I wonder how many semi-finalists are there out of all the entrants!
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Anonymous
14/06/2012 1:13:22 PM |
Did you enter the open competition? |
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Anonymous
14/06/2012 1:47:45 PM |
Were you contacted by email or phone? |
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Anonymous
14/06/2012 2:14:54 PM |
I was contacted by email and I am an open semi-finalist |
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Anonymous
14/06/2012 2:16:24 PM |
I was contacted by email and I am an open semi-finalist |
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Anonymous
14/06/2012 2:22:14 PM |
So there still might be some hope! |
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Anonymous
14/06/2012 4:32:25 PM |
I got an e-mail yesterday, 13th June, to say one of my photos, "Clare and Henry at Tenterfield" was a semi-finalist and I got very excited thinking I was in the cut for the final 40 but alas, no, a semi-finalist is just that and will be on the website "shortly". The final 40 have already been phoned and e-mailed according to my follow-up e-mail asking what I I needed to do next. Semi-finalists do not have to print and frame their images and I am still pleased to be a semi-finalist although for a few hours I was confused/unaware/hopeful and thought that the final 40 were yet to be decided. Looking forward to seeing what will be on the website. cheers, Trish |
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Anonymous
14/06/2012 6:37:06 PM |
Has anyone from the secondary been notified? |
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Anonymous
14/06/2012 7:23:35 PM |
Just opened my emails and got a wonderful surprise to say that I was a semi-finalist. Thrilled to be selected. Best of luck to the 40 Finalists, looking forward to seeing the images. Congratulations to one and all. Keep the dream alive and enjoy what photography can do for the soul!
Judy Goggin |
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Anonymous
14/06/2012 7:37:56 PM |
Has anybody who is in the schools competition been contacted yet.
Thanks
Sally Witchalls |
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WILLIAM STEVER
14/06/2012 7:47:53 PM |
Yes they have recieved emails, i recieved an email saying 2 of my photographs have been chosen as finalists :))) |
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Sally Witchalls
14/06/2012 7:48:57 PM |
Thanks that is very helpful!
Well done
Sally Witchalls |
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Anonymous
15/06/2012 7:39:44 AM |
Good onya Moran Prizes (or should that be Moron Prizes)... notifying semi-finalists AFTER notifying the finalists. |
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Anonymous
15/06/2012 10:49:28 AM |
I also received the "Congratulations! Your image(s) 'The Sleep Of Reason' has been selected as a Semi-Finalists in the 2012 Moran Contemporary Photographic Competition." email. I assumed that a semi-finalist meant you then proceed to a 'finals' round, from which a winner is judged. But I get the impression that there are two groups, 'semi-finalists' and 'finalists' and only the latter group are in the running. 'semi-finalists' only get their work published on the website, but are not in the show. At least, I THINK that's how it works. Confirmation from someone who knows would be good. p.s. I'm guessing they received hundreds of entries so I'm quite chuffed to have made it to the lesser group anyway. :) Shayne |
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Anonymous
16/06/2012 12:15:54 PM |
That is interesting because the Terms and Conditions clearly state the semi-finalists would not be contacted... It would be nice to know what the true judging procedure is. It is quite expensive to enter, and you would like to believe the process and judging would be well done and transparent, however it has not been so. It all seems to be very disorganised, and not transparent at all. |
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Anonymous
16/06/2012 1:18:50 PM |
I'm sure the adjudicators will be happy to clear up the confusion. I suppose we all expected that from all the submissions, a pool of 'semi-finalists' would have been chosen, and of that lot, the lucky 'finalists' announced later... and then the winners. Maybe the semi's had their hopes of being in the running for $100k raised. I'd also be interested in how many were chosen for both categories, I think I read 40 works will be hung (but not the 'semi's'.) |
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Anonymous
16/06/2012 4:29:47 PM |
The word 'shambolic' springs to mind. |
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Anonymous
16/06/2012 6:05:57 PM |
Any other art prize I have been in follows the logic of
1: entry,
2: pre-selection if necessary: this creates the body of contenders, or semi-finalists
3: final judging.
If we think of a sporting event we know that you run in the trials, get to the Semis if you make it that far and have a shot at the Finals. maybe even a Grand Final. Logical. This has been a bit of a circus. It would appear that the sequence is out or the communication of the process has been jumbled......very confusing for all. |
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Anonymous
16/06/2012 9:28:37 PM |
What does it matter!
moran are running this thing to give budding artists a chance and if your not happy with the way it's run then leave it and don't enter again!
I can see the concern but if this is the most important thing in your life the you need to have a look at your priorities!
Thanks moran |
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Anonymous
16/06/2012 10:03:33 PM |
Whether the complaints are justified or no, Moran puts up the money and will run the show however they want. These comments will be ignored, a winner will be announced and...'the dogs bark but the caravans move on.' I think that's just the way of the world :( |
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Anonymous
17/06/2012 8:51:14 AM |
I for one expect to get what i pay for, and that is the issue at play here |
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Anonymous
17/06/2012 10:02:20 AM |
I can understand that. It seems like with some other art competitions, they've decided who will win this year before they even take submissions, its an old boys' club. I don't think the Moran is that way, but if the selection process is not clear, it does not help dispel the notion that the only purpose in our entering was to fund the admin with our fees. |
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Anonymous
17/06/2012 12:13:04 PM |
I think the Moran Photographic prize receives thousands of entries, plus thousands more in the schools section for which they charge nothing to enter. To make the finals is exceptional. The finalists are usually notified and semi finalists are displayed online. Perhaps knowing how expectant everyone is waiting to hear they have let semi finalists know this year albiet it sounds like after the finalists were notified. I guess the sheer volume of entries has meant the judging has taken some time, I know last year they had 5000 !!! entries in the primary school category alone. So if you are a semi finalist you should be happy, even if you were not notified in the correct / traditional order. At the end of the day, some lucky talented person is going to be $100 000 better off!
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Anonymous
17/06/2012 12:40:21 PM |
Possibly, it would seem a little more respectful to see a response here from the Moran people. |
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Anonymous
17/06/2012 7:51:50 PM |
on the web site there are the open entry, I presume lots if not all, the semifinalist and the finalist.....kind of everyone is a winner!
I've been notified I was a semi-finalist after they had already chosen the finalist! got exited for a while but then I felt that the semi finalist thing was just a marketing spin just to make people feel better, and maybe re-enter next year!. yes it may be just the way the Moran admin runs things, but honestly does not feel is an open and honest competition...maybe Moran prize should clarify this or lose credibility. |
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Anonymous
17/06/2012 10:05:28 PM |
If there were, say, 5000 entries paying a $25 fee, that's the $125,000 prize money sorted. So its not quite correct to say Moran support the arts etc, when all they do is run the show - and not very well - and enjoy the publicity.
But having said that, i think the first lesson for an artist is that you will be exploited. If you're in it for the money, well good luck with that. But if you do your art just because you love it, then you will reap the real rewards. |
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Anonymous
18/06/2012 9:46:57 AM |
It would be nice for the Moran organisers to comment on this forum and set matters straight. At the moment, it shows a complete contempt for the participants and their money. |
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Renee Ward
18/06/2012 10:28:27 AM |
Hi Everyone,
Thank you for posting on the forum, we’re trying to get back to all your queries during this busy time. I wanted to confirm for the last Anonymous post 17-6 that we are a not for profit philanthropic organisation supporting Australian art.
The Open photographic finalists were notified first as they will need to print their works for exhibition. The semi-finalists were also notified of their achievement as the judge, Graham Howe wanted these entrants to know that although their works wouldn’t be able to be hung this year that it was a close call.
Congratulations to all of the finalists and semi-finalists. The semi-finalist images will be on the website shortly and I hope you like this year’s selection! |
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Anonymous
18/06/2012 11:34:52 AM |
Thanks Renee, I know Moran do great photography workshops around Australia for children of all ages, all schools have to do is apply. You are bringing the arts to kids who might not be as privileged as some. You charge nothing for students to enter yet offer very respectable prizes. I think a $25 entry fee for the open prize is fair otherwise individuals would enter countless entries. Good luck to all those in the running for the 1st prize. |
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Anonymous
18/06/2012 12:36:37 PM |
Hello Renee,
I would be interested to know more about the rationale behind the structure of the Prize.
It appears 40 images are selected as Finalists. Quite separate to this there are a group of images selected as Semi-Finalists.
It seems odd that the Finalists are not selected from the pool of Semi-Finalists. Perhaps you need to change the names of the two categories.
That way you would avoid confusion, dashed hopes and frustration from entrants. The names Semi-Finalists and Finalists imply there would be a progression from one level to the next. Maybe they could be 'Commended' and 'Highly Commended'. I know entrants value the opportunity to participate and are grateful that organisations such as the Moran Arts Foundation run these prizes. Perhaps a redesign of the website to make it a little more streamlined, a clearer outline of process and a change of names would allay some of the frustration expressed.
Thanks
Anonymous |
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Anonymous
18/06/2012 1:06:00 PM |
I have to agree with the above post. Naturally contestants would have assumed that if they were semi-finalists, they'd be in the running in the finals. But not so. (It's not The Voice :>P) It does not not seem a difficult thing to have informed the semi-finalists that, in fact, they were excluded from the finals, they had been chosen as runners-up, when they were sent their notification email.
But anyway, I know that curating such events always brings a lot of bitching and not many thanks, so I'd like to say THANKS anyway to the organisers for running this comp and exhibition, and providing us all with an opportunity to showcase our art. Shayne |
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Anonymous
19/06/2012 9:00:09 AM |
I wish someone would define "shortly". |
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Anonymous
19/06/2012 9:41:33 AM |
Ha Ha!! I was thinking the same! |
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Anonymous
19/06/2012 10:18:14 AM |
The 2012 'Semi-finalists' are now online. Ha! they seem to have uploaded every submission they received - 1000's of them! Including some very, um, pedestrian snapshots. Was EVERYONE a semi-finalist? Awww, I don't feel so special anymore. I gave up clicking on that little arrow trying to find mine; oh well, at least i got a 'conratulations' email out of it all. :) |
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Anonymous
19/06/2012 10:45:28 AM |
There should be a better way to browse through the entries... |
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Anonymous
19/06/2012 10:47:25 AM |
I'm going to need a new mouse by the time I finish clicking through the entries. |
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Anonymous
19/06/2012 11:11:41 AM |
Ha a rejigged website with a 'search' function may be in order. Funny the lengths we'll go to see our name in print.
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Anonymous
19/06/2012 11:39:56 AM |
At the very least there should be a checkbox to say "Don't show photos of old people sitting in chairs or on the edge of the bed". That should cut the entries to look through by about half :P
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Anonymous
19/06/2012 12:17:42 PM |
Well i know for a fact that not every entry in the secondary category was a semi finalist, so would assume that was the same for the open category. I think the majority of semi finalists are amazing, I would hate to be a photographer trying to make a living in this digital age! |
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Anonymous
19/06/2012 12:22:52 PM |
Could the Moran Foundation please tells us how many entries there were and how many Semi-Finalists were selected.? I gather there are 40 Finalists.
It looks like every entry has been uploaded. Is this the case?
Thanks in anticipation. |
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Anonymous
19/06/2012 12:26:35 PM |
"not every entry in the secondary category was a semi finalist"? there were categories? this gets even more confusing. Semi-finalists were told their work would be published on the website. it looks like every entry has gone up there, including several snaps by the same photographers, and even a couple where they forgot to rotate the image the right way up. "Australia's most prestigious art prize" has a couple of credibility issues.
I dunno, Doug, you just don't make me feel special anymore. |
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Anonymous
19/06/2012 12:26:54 PM |
What it looks like is that when you first open up the page, you get 100 or so semi-finalists cycle through the gallery... then if you go to the menu there is a link to 2012 Entrants, and that seems to contain every image that was uploaded. So by default you see the semi-finalists, and then you can choose to see all entries. Another case of where the usability of this website is well below par. |
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Anonymous
19/06/2012 12:29:38 PM |
Secondary as in the SECONDARY SCHOOL CATEGORY, with three age group sub category's, there is also a primary school age category, all of which were free to enter for the kids but have monry and cameras as prizes. |
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Anonymous
19/06/2012 7:26:26 PM |
Yay! I just found my pic on this site. its semi-finalist #978, check it out. I broke my clicker finger finding it, but I think it was worth it. |
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Anonymous
19/06/2012 7:28:11 PM |
I think the sem-finalist pictures are great! congratulations to all!
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Anonymous
19/06/2012 7:33:50 PM |
They are not numbered so how do we find 978?
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Anonymous
20/06/2012 9:55:54 AM |
'Irony' seems to have escaped translation in this medium. |
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Anonymous
20/06/2012 10:00:38 AM |
I probably spent over an hour yesterday looking through all the entries on the site and there are so many entrants that should have made the semi-finalist list over some of the ones in the semi-finalists that are clearly snapshots. Yes, snapshots with no artistic merit. As per the original post, these images aren't world class, they're not Australian class. Really, they are just plain embarrassing. If an outsider was to look at the semi-finalists, the response would be "really? this is the best they have?" |
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Anonymous
20/06/2012 10:23:42 AM |
I think you spent an hour looking at every submission they received, not just the semi-finalists. As someone pointed out above, when you first open the page, you get about 100 semi-finalists but if you go to the menu and click the link to 2012 Entrants, it contains every image that was uploaded. At least, i think that's how it works but who knows, its all as clear as mud. Btw., I agree about the quality of many of the images, the only question they bring to my mind is, 'why did you take that picture?' |
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Anonymous
20/06/2012 11:09:25 AM |
Yes, the someone that pointed it out above was me, as it was me that commented about the quality of the semi-finalists. |
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Anonymous
20/06/2012 11:22:24 AM |
LOLZ, ok, sorry. Anyhoo, I think uploading every submission is a bit redundant and confusing, what we need is a simple thumbnail gallery of the semi-finalists, so all the works can be seen at once, and any shots you are interested in can be selected. That way, your photo would also have its own url; for reference. I still wonder how many are in this 'exclusive' semi-finalists set though. |
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Anonymous
20/06/2012 11:48:56 AM |
I have just counted the semi-finalists and I got 362. |
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Anonymous
20/06/2012 1:14:10 PM |
Your next task is to count all the entries :P |
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Anonymous
20/06/2012 1:18:17 PM |
Ha, its a symptom of the digital age, that anyone can take a snap of anything and call it art. I kinda miss the old days when you had to pay for film, chemicals and photo print paper; we were a bit more selective back then :) |
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Anonymous
20/06/2012 2:07:52 PM |
Sure anyone can take a 'snap' but I would think it would be the judge's duty to distinguish between a 'snap' and art even if the creator of the work can't. Isn't that after all what they have been called upon to do? |
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Anonymous
20/06/2012 2:14:48 PM |
I think everyone should head on over to the judge's site http://grahamhowe.org/gallery.html and things might become clearer as to semi-finalist choice :S |
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Anonymous
20/06/2012 2:27:13 PM |
Oh dear, 'Anonymous 20/06/2012 2:14:48 PM'...yes, I see what you mean :) |
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Anonymous
20/06/2012 5:56:30 PM |
Now that my blood has stopped boiling, and I've found this Forum, and I've had a look at the 2012 semi-finalists, I thought I would lend my 2 cents worth of comment on this Prize. First, I won't enter it again. Now, I feel better. I will concentrate on overseas photo comps where the rules and briefs are easier to follow, uploading of images is easier, where the competition organisers are polite and tell you whether or not your images were accepted, and where you at least stand a fighting chance of being selected if your images are good enough. Second, how some of the images that made it into the semi finals can be considered depictions of Australian contemporary society beggars belief - Elle running on a beach, an iceberg, staged photos of actors. Geez! And, the same names keep popping up year after year, after year. Obviously, the judges of this Prize are smoking some version of reality not available to the rest of us. No wonder the arts in Australia are in such a parlous state! |
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Anonymous
20/06/2012 5:59:36 PM |
Oh, I forgot to mention - the person who set up the web-site for the Photo prize should take a look at how some of the overseas web-sites are set out and organised. Honestly, almost impossible to navigate and figure out what the heck is going on. |
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Anonymous
20/06/2012 7:00:50 PM |
... and was there only one judge? looking at Mr. Howe's website, while he has an undeniable interest in doormats and garbage tips, is he able to judge a portrait? Really, for Australia's most prestigious prize' this Barnum and Bailey show has a lot of shortcomings. |
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Anonymous
20/06/2012 7:55:07 PM |
While there are some questionable choices, there are plenty of good photos in there, but I agree that the theme of Australians going about their daily lives has become lost if you can meanwhile have nature photos with no people at all or 'Segundo in Trinidad'. I find this aspect a little mystifying. |
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Sally Witchalls
20/06/2012 8:18:07 PM |
Well i think they have done a fantastic job and everything that is happening here is a bonus as they didn't have to run it but they did for our(the australian peoples) benefit!!!
well done moran |
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Anonymous
20/06/2012 8:49:53 PM |
Well Sally, I think you are in a minority. I won't be entering next year, unless something drastic changes with the organisation of this competition. |
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Anonymous
21/06/2012 12:11:00 PM |
It defeats the point of having semi-finalists if the website shows all entrants because there is no clear differentiation btw the two.... |
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Anonymous
22/06/2012 8:54:59 AM |
...with confusion over what being a 'semi-finalist' means and the numbers that were misled by that congratulations email, and how many submissions were told they were 'semi-finalists' and dumping every submission on the website regardless of quality...and apparently only ONE judge ... who photographs doormats.... I think the organisers of this competition really can't expect anyone to take it seriously. |
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Anonymous
22/06/2012 9:37:30 AM |
man, some people must have very little to worry about, judging by some of these comments :/ |
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Anonymous
22/06/2012 5:28:19 PM |
Yes (to the last comment)
I will be entering again cause I thnk that photography is fantastic and none of these comments dull my passion or concern me . |
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Anonymous
22/06/2012 5:29:21 PM |
Yes (to the last comment)
I will be entering again cause I thnk that photography is fantastic and none of these comments dull my passion or concern me .
Kind regards
keep smiling
keep taking photos
Sally Witchalls Teen amateur photographer (: |
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Anonymous
22/06/2012 6:32:32 PM |
Do u want to buy an opera house, Sally? |
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Anonymous
22/06/2012 7:25:51 PM |
What???
excuse me but i have no idea what you are talking about!
(would love to know though!!!)
kind regards
Sally |
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Anonymous
25/06/2012 6:43:06 PM |
I think he'she means you sound like you'd buy anything, if you buy this comp., Sally. So anyhow, now the semis have been divided into: '2012 OPEN SEMI FINALISTS' and '2012 SECONDARY SEMI FINALISTS' and an email sent out which is just as obscure. Frankly, I've lost interest. |
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Anonymous
25/06/2012 9:11:48 PM |
How many entries does the Moran Contemporary Photographic Prize get? How many semi-finalists does it have and how many finalists? |
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Anonymous
26/06/2012 4:11:22 PM |
A very disappointing start to the Moran 2012 if the Finalist selections are going to be the same standard
as the Semi Finalists. Last year there was only 200 Semi Finalists chosen and this year the judge chooses
362 images. What a joke!
I completely agree with what has been said about the navigation of this website. It's very old school.
I would've thought that the Moran would have found a better judge than Graham Howe. The images on his
website are certainly nothing to write home about. |
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Anonymous
26/06/2012 5:15:23 PM |
People - stop complaining PLEASE :-)
I am thrilled to be a finalist. My daughter is also a finalist in the Secondary section.
I have found the Moran people to be very helpful. I have also ENJOYED viewing all of the photos online. It makes me proud of being 'human'.
Instead of whinging, look at the diversity of the images, the colour, the varying subject matter and how many people approached the competition with such creativity. Some photos are indeed better than others - but all of them are interesting in their own way.
My advice is to have another go next year and please don't sound so vicious towards an organisation that is at least tying to support Australian Artists.
Me? Not only am I happy to be a finalist, but I'm also excited about entering NEXT year already. My head is buzzing with ideas.
If you don't like it, then by all means don't enter again. Please stop ruining it for the rest of us... |
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Anonymous
26/06/2012 6:26:09 PM |
Yes, I do have to agree with the previous post. Photography is always going to be a subjective art form, and there will always be pictures you don't like. Yet instead of taking the positives from the discussion this engenders, or praising those photographs that are indeed very good (and there are plenty of them), an astonishing number of people here are whingeing (on and on and on).
Who are these people? Superior experts? Bad losers? Or merely the kind of ever-complaining tall poppy cutters for which Australia is famous? Either way it shows tremendously miserly spirit. If they know so much better, then why aren't they running galleries/publications/competitions/exhibitions of their own? Or at least signing their names to their embittered posts? Put up or shut up I would say.
I really don't think it is elegant to attack an institution that commits huge amounts of money to artistic endeavour in Australia. Instead I think we should be wishing for more such foundations. If you don't like it, no one is forcing you to enter.
Fabian
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elizabeth wmjb reeves
27/06/2012 3:19:44 AM |
Not EVERY 'entrant' is online yet. I think, like last year, that happens once winners are announced. Competitions are always complicated and confusing. This one is no different. There are some absolutely amazing compelling, inspiring photographs and in amongst those, some really weak ones, and some really ordinary 'snaps'. I guess it's the weak ones and the 'snaps' that people are complaining about. Especially if they know beyond a shadow of a doubt that their photgraph was better than one that has made the cut. Considering this is a pay competition, communication could be better. Given the vastness in the quality, in the assortment of 'finalists/semi-finalists', and the good ones that haven't made the cut, in MHO, I'm actually inclined to think that they don't trall through every single one of the thousands of entries. I think they identify the most compellling ones which are obvious winners, which wouldn't be hard.Then I think they just quickly choose 'fillers'. With the amazing talent in the finalists, I certainly don't think I deserve to win but I wouldnt mind being a 'filler'. My ego would certainly love it. As irritating as the website is, in that it gives RSI clicking through the photos, I kind of like that this forces you to look at each one and enjoy it or at least think about the image, the photographer, the subject/object, and form an emotion from that, and even be inspired by it in some way. That is after all what ART is all about. |
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Anonymous
27/06/2012 1:09:44 PM |
"You don't take a photograph, you make it." Ansel Adams. For some people, photography is just point and shoot. Its relatively easy. A snapshot takes a couple of seconds. If that's all it took for you to get into the finals, you must be laughing. For others, as Adams suggests, art requires a lot more love, and the first step is in being able to see a good picture. then comes the composition, and consideration of line, angle, interval, size, shape, hue etc etc...and then for many photographers, the post editing is just as important - Photoshop is the virtual darkroom. So I guess for the former group, art is rather pluralistic, and this competition seems to follow that 'anything goes' idea. But for the latter group, who put so much work and study into their art, to see it considered in such a cavalier way, with an apparent lack of respect, must be pretty insulting. I think its a pity because so many of the big competitions keep rehashing the same badly drawn untalented dross and I'd hoped this one would be different.
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Anonymous
27/06/2012 7:43:27 PM |
I see your point, but I think there is often to a 'snapshot' than meets the eye. Of course I don't mean some snap of your kids playing in the back yard, but many iconic 'decisive moment' images are at their core 'mere' snapshots. HCB would argue that the ability to anticipate and capture real life situations in a compelling way is is one of the key skills of a photographer, and he would have had less time for people who spend hours lining things up followed by even more hours in post.
In the end it is comparing apples and oranges since 'snapshots' and 'art' require completely different approaches and ways of thinking; you can't compare Bill Henson to Elliot Erwitt. I just don't think that 'fine art' photography has more merit than 'snap shots', otherwise you're invalidating the incredible work of any number of legendary photographers, particularly the types who work with VII, Magnum, Noor etc.
Fabian |
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Anonymous
27/06/2012 9:39:04 PM |
Well, there's no accounting for the changing fashions in art. Remember Rembrandt died bankrupt because no one would buy his paintings, everyone thought he was old fashioned. And I wonder if the Archibald committee would even accept a work from him if he was alive today? And i wonder if Elliot Erwitt and Bill Henson would have got into this comp? I think that is the point, not just the kerfuffle in the method of announcing finalists and semi's, but having one judge to view 1000's of diverse works. |
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Anonymous
27/06/2012 11:33:51 PM |
i just checked online to see im a semi-finalist and they didnt even care to email me about it! how thoughtful.. |
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Anonymous
28/06/2012 10:05:46 AM |
Never mind, i don't think 'being a semi finalist' means a lot if there were more than 300 semi's. :) |
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Anonymous
28/06/2012 7:59:46 PM |
Well if you read the third paragraph of this
http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/services/learning_at_the_Library/docs/Moran%20Self%20Guided%20Tour%202011_1.pdf
I would say that making this top 300 isn't bad at all! However one does have to wonder how that volume of material can be processed by a single human being. |
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Anonymous
28/06/2012 9:49:13 PM |
"The State Library of NSW presents 31 portrait and 96 photographic finalists from a total of over 200,000 entries." Wow, that poor judge must have gone cross-eyed.
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Anonymous
29/06/2012 3:52:35 PM |
im just wondering if the semi finalists photos are in the finalists photos or are they more like a runner up |
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Anonymous
29/06/2012 4:54:50 PM |
They aren't putting the finalists up until mid July so they are not with the Semi-finalists (I don't think)
Why doesn't everybody choose there favourite photo and post! |
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Anonymous
29/06/2012 6:34:44 PM |
Anonymous 29/06/2012 3:52:35 PM... the semi-finalists were notified after the finalists had been contacted. Now you'd think being a semi-finalist meant you were in the running to be a finalist. But not so, they were notified first. Its all very simple really. <sigh> |
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Anonymous
29/06/2012 8:18:40 PM |
The first couple that I like and its probably in the first 50 is Kirk Gilmour "A dip At Dawn" and Ray Collins "At the Coal Face" will check the rest out and post after
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Anonymous
1/07/2012 3:58:27 PM |
I like photography, have always been interested in it. This is my first time to enter this competition. I like a lot of the photographs that have been entered. I myself like taking photos of the older generation. Especially, the war heros. Those who have been to the many wars, in saying that, there are not too many left now. They have sacrificed their lives to make the world a better place for us to enjoy.
When you look at an older person, their faces tell a thousand stories. Also, when you think about it, an older person has done so much in life, some of them, just by looking at them, their rinkles almost tells you or gives you a list of the many things they've done. Whether my photos have won or not, at least I've tried and also have experienced entering a genuine competition online. Thank you to the Moran Foundation for giving the Australian people/artists, including me a chance to show off their/my talent in the open for the whole world to see. Well done and thank you! Tess |
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Anonymous
5/07/2012 3:36:12 PM |
The finalists are up on the website
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Anonymous
8/07/2012 10:43:53 AM |
If there were 200,000 entrants, as someone here claims, who paid each a $50 entrance fee, I'm thinking that art prizes are a pretty simple scam...one judge, throw any old tat online and call it a 'semi-finalist' and put up 10% of the take as prize money... pffft, I think I been ripped off. |
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Anonymous
17/07/2012 9:32:42 AM |
If the finalists are up, can someone give a link?
Also, this website is quite frankly rubbish. |
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Anonymous
24/07/2012 9:07:17 PM |
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/herald-staff-in-line-for-awards-20120723-22kq9.html
Just 300,000 entries this year.
Instead of bitching about it here, I think all semifinalists should be proud of their achievement, but perhaps it's simply cooler to complain. |
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Anonymous
26/07/2012 4:33:04 PM |
"http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/herald-staff-in-line-for-awards-20120723-22kq9.html
Just 300,000 entries this year.
Instead of bitching about it here, I think all semifinalists should be proud of their achievement, but perhaps it's simply cooler to complain."
Thank you to whoever it was that posted the above comment. I'm a semi-finalist in this year's comp. I was over the moon when I found out, but after reading some of the bitter comments on this forum that feeling was diminished somewhat. 300,000 entries is huge - so yes, the semi-finalists should be proud. To the naysayers, it just sounds like sour grapes to me.
Congrats to the winners and highly commended artists - some beautiful images there, that's for sure. |
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Anonymous
30/07/2012 10:58:43 AM |
the photo finalists are here
http://moranprizes2012.com.au/moran-contemporary-photographic-prize-2012-open-finalists/
some fine work there.
i was also a semi finalist, and i have to say this notion that we 'shouldn't complain' about the lack of respect shown to artists in this competition (regardless of the $50 x 300,000 that the organisers made out of it) because we were among The Chosen... is just a little bit BS. But that does seem to be typical of the apathetic Aussie attitude of 'oh well never mind' - its how people like this keep getting away with it. |
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Sally Witchalls
13/03/2013 8:06:51 PM |
Can't wait for this years competition to be annouced!!
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Anonymous
14/04/2013 11:59:43 AM |
So, where is the Painting Prize Forum?
This is such a terrible website...
& no page for or mention of 2013!!!? |
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Anonymous
24/04/2013 12:47:05 AM |
Almost May and still no announcement for 2013? Perhaps there is no Moran Prize this year? |
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Anonymous
5/05/2013 9:00:46 PM |
Well since there has been no announcement whatsoever, I guess it's off this year. Pity. |
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