MAC International Art Prize Shortlist Announced

The shortlist has been announced for a new £20,000 international art prize launched by Belfast theatre and art venue The MAC.

The judging panel, which includes a senior Tate expert, has announced the shortlist of 24 projects that have made it through the open submission for 'MAC International', which attracted over 1,000 submissions from over 30 countries.

The exhibition will run across the MAC's galleries from 31 October 2014 until 18 January 2015 and will offer visitors contemporary visual art including sculpture, painting, photography, film, installation and performance.

Hugh Mulholland, Curator at the MAC, said: "MAC International will make a major contribution to the visual arts sector in the UK and beyond. It has already made a global impact, with 1,016 submissions coming in from across the world, alongside submissions from Irish and UK artists. The calibre of the judging panel adds significant weight to the exhibition’s international credentials, while the £20,000 on offer to the winner represents one of the largest art prizes in the UK.

"MAC International will fully transform the MAC’s galleries during the exhibition, adding further to the MAC’s reputation as a leading cultural venue offering visitors the opportunity to see current visual art practice by local, national and international artists. We expect many of the visitors to the exhibition to be out-of-state, making a major contribution to Northern Ireland’s cultural tourism economy."

The shortlist is available to view at themaclive.com.

(IT/CD)