By Elliott Brack
Editor and Publisher, GwinnettForum
OCT. 22, 2019 | Gwinnettians are proud that the Hudgens Center for the Arts and Learning of Duluth awards a significant prize every other year to one Georgia artist. The prize is one of the biggest in the country, amounting to $50,000 cash, plus a solo exhibit at the Hudgens Center for the winner.
The competition is certainly on the radar of Georgia artists, as up to 370 Georgians each year have submitted their art seeking to gain the prize. We’ve seen many of the entrants. There is a wide range of work submitted, from modern and classical drawings and paintings, abstract expressionism, metal formations, water colors, forged sculptures, photography and other artistic impressions. But there are other concepts submitted that might not be recognized as “art” by others. That includes one Hudgens winner two years ago that is best described as “performance art.”
Georgia artists seem to be losing interest in submitting their work. As many as 370 entrants were seen in 2013, but only 192 submitted in 2019.
The determination of the winner of the competition is judged by a panel of art professionals and curators from around the country, selected by the Hudgens Center board.
That is all fine and good. The unfortunate part is that so far the Center has picked what we must call “far out” judges, who impose their views on what is art in selecting the winner. In each of the five years of the competition, the selection of the winner has been nothing but “avant garde,” to put it mildly.
Not only that, but The Hudgens apparently gives these judges wide latitude in picking each year’s winner. The Center apparently does not provide the judges any guidelines of what the Center considers “art.”
It must upset the average artist submitting material to see the result of the judging. For these selections, in all five years of the competition, have been unusual and certainly not what conventional artists or art patrons would consider anywhere near traditional. In effect, the selections have caused many people to ask, “Is THAT art?”
Perhaps the Hudgens has hoped that the panel’s selections will challenge Georgians to broaden their views of art. Unfortunately, it’s not working. Most Georgians just can’t relate to the winner chosen, which could be offputting, and exactly the opposite of the museum’s goals. So far, their selections have not enhanced the Hudgens Center.
We applaud the five winners over the years for their abilities to come up with a means of expressing themselves. We hope that they can support themselves with their talent. However, we add that the winning Hudgens prize art is not something many consider “art.”
The Hudgens Competition could become a model for the rest of the country for its patronage in the art world. But it must make sure that the selection of its winners is considered reasonable and sound. To do so, the Hudgens board should:
- Take charge of the judging, and insure that it is credible.
- Make sure at least one judge is from the South;
- Set guidelines for what are acceptable submissions of art.
- Assure those submitting their works that they will be judged by traditional standards.
- Adopt these measures to raise the level of the awards and the Center.
Gwinnett County has a unique distinction in the art world in hosting this competition. The Hudgens Center can raise its prestige even more with coming back down to earth in the selection of winners of this prize. We look forward to this happening for the enhancement of the reputation of the Hudgens.
- Have a comment? Send to: elliott@brack.net
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