Meet the 2021 Environmental Art & Design Prize Judges

In its inaugural year, the Environmental Art & Design Prize celebrates contemporary art and design practices that are socially engaged, environmentally aware and contribute to positive change. This year’s judges - Liane Rossler, artist, designer and curator; Lisa Cahill, CEO & Artistic Director of the Australian Design Centre; and Euan Macleod, artist  - are an inspiring group aligned with this vision and leaders in their creative fields.

While they have unique perspectives, they also agree that artists and designers have a lot to contribute to the conversation about the environment.

What excites you about being involved in the Prize’s inaugural year? As climate change looms large creating a collective anxiety and overwhelm, art and design can engage us with what’s possible and remind us of the beauty inherent in our natural world. I’m excited to see the entries and will be looking for the responses that focus our minds on positive solutions.- Lisa CahillI’m excited about seeing how artists and designers have responded to this topic which I feel is one of the most serious issues of our times.-  Euan MacleodI’m excited to see all the great expressions and innovations that people are considering, and their contributions to creating a better environment.- Liane Rossler What contributions do you think artists and designers make to the conversation about the environmental challenges we face now and into the future? Creative perspectives help us to make sense of the world around us. As critical as scientists are, I believe that artists and designers can be leaders in the conversation and help to contextualise the science. - Lisa Cahill.There’s lots of great information available, and artists and designers can succinctly present ways of thinking and solutions via visual engagement. Many people learn and absorb information via visual as well as written and spoken form, so art and design are an important form of communication. – Lianne Rossler What advice do you have to share for emerging artists and designers wanting to develop their practice and networks? Read, listen, watch and absorb everything you can about climate change. Pivot your practice to be sustainable – be that in materiality, method or ideas. Imagine a world where climate change is reversed and what impact that could have for life on earth.- Lisa CahillFor me the most important thing is the work itself and being true to yourself, rather than trying to follow the trends. - Euan Macleod.Keep doing meaningful work that you love doing and that has a positive impact. Think long term to build a lifetime body of work and you will meet others with shared interests, and build audiences by creative engagement. - Liane Rossler Thinking about entering?

The Environmental Art & Design Prize, 2021 is open to artist and designers Australia-wide. Submissions close Monday 21 June.

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