A selection panel consisting of the curator and two independent panellists will review entries and select works for exhibition at the City of Rockingham Art Prize Exhibition. The selection process will be blind, meaning panellists will only have access to the image of the artwork and the artwork title.
The City is pleased to appoint Lia McKnight, Robert Gear and Ron Bradfield Junior as the independent panellists for the Art Prize 2023.
Lia McKnight
Lia is Collection Manager at John Curtin Gallery, Curtin University and a curator. She holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts and Master of Arts, Cultural Heritage. She has participated as a selection panel member and judge for art prizes including the John Stringer Prize and the Perth Royal Art Prize for Landscape.
Lia is a contemporary artist based in Walyalup/Fremantle who works with a variety of media. She has been exhibiting for 20 years and has been a finalist in various prizes including the Joondalup Invitation Art Prize. She is represented in collections including Murdoch University, Curtin University, the City of Perth and City of Joondalup.
Robert Gear
Robert is an accomplished artist and arts educator living in Boorloo/Perth. Alongside a secondary art teaching career, he has maintained a continuous painting practice which is now his sole focus. His works are held in private and public collections including the University of WA, Edith Cowan University and St John of God Hospital.
Robert has shown in numerous exhibitions and been a finalist in many art prizes, including The Hadley Prize, Albany National Art Prize, Perth Royal Art Prize for Landscape, Tattersalls Art Prize and the Fleurieu Biennale. He holds a Teaching Diploma in Art and Bachelor of Fine Arts from Curtin University.
Ron Bradfield Junior
Highly regarded from Bardi Country, near Broome, Ron calls Whadjuk Boodjar (Perth) his home. He is an artist, consultant, cultural Advisor, CYO of Yarns R Us, storyteller and former Regional and Indigenous Development Manager for Artsource. Ron is the Community Engagement Coordinator for the Carrolup Centre, John Curtin Gallery, Curtin Unversity.