17 March - 22 May 2022

Casula Powerhouse has been home to the prestigious Blake Prize since 2016 and has engaged artists both nationally and internationally with ideas of spirituality and religion.

The Blake Prize has evolved over the past 70 years from a focus on religious figures to a space for artists to explore the complexities of spirituality today, following the changing cultural mix of Australia’s population and our attitudes towards religion and spirituality. Artists from around Australia were invited to express their journeys in belief, spirituality or nonbelief through unique works in many different mediums.

From March to May, you’re invited to walk through our galleries and engage with thought-provoking artworks selected by this year’s esteemed panel of judges, Australian multi-disciplinary artist Abdul Abdullah, curator Megan Monte and Rosemary Crumlin OAM who is an Australian Sister of Mercy and art historian.

The majority of this year’s finalists come from Australia, representing every state and territory in the nation. Many cultures and religions from across the globe are represented in the works, including Mexico, Japan, Iran, the Philippines and China. The themes explored within the finalist works include introspective explorations of spirituality, the natural world, xenophobia and racism, gender, Australian identity and COVID-19.

The works in The 67th Blake Prize Exhibition express the huge changes the world has gone through over the last two years, as well as the changing cultural mix of Australia’s population, our attitudes towards religion and spirituality, and how our artists interpret, reflect, and question these notions via their work through art.

To purchase any of the works in the exhibition click here for a price list and contact our front desk to purchase.

SJ Norman’s winning photographic diptych, documents 147 incisions which were made on the skin of the artist’s back, over a ritual work lasting 147 minutes to recognise the 147 Aboriginal people who have lost their lives while in police custody over the last decade.

Congratulations to Katy B Plummer for winning the Established Artist Residency Prize, with her interactive audiovisual multi-platform work 'WE ARE ALL ASTONISHINGLY WISE'.

The People's Choice Award is awarded to the artist who receives the most votes from visitors of the 67th Blake Prize exhibition. Congratulations to Sergio Plata for his sculpture 'First Communion'. We have interviewed Sergio as part of the People's Choice Award prize. Click here to read the article: Interview with Sergio Plata

Congratulations also to all the the finalists of The 67th Blake Prize ! Click here to see the full list of finalists. Come and see all the works displayed at Casula Powerhouse including all the Poems of the finalists and the winner.

Read the judges comments: here.