Josephine Ulrick Win Schubert Photography Award
Since 2002 the Josephine Ulrick Win Schubert Photography Award (JUWSPA) has been an important survey of contemporary Australian photography at the Home of the Arts (HOTA) Gallery, showcasing emerging photographic talent alongside recognised Australian artists. 2017’s Award winner was selected by Chris Saines CNZM Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Director, and hosted by Tracy Cooper-Lavery HOTA Gallery Director.
HOTA Gallery, Home of the Arts
Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast AUS
9 September 2017 - 9 November 2017

Josephine Ulrick Win Schubert Photography Award 2017. Image courtesy of HOTA Gallery.
Exhibitions Project Coordinator: Alex Boyes/AB Curatorial Design
Gallery Director and Award Curator: Tracy Cooper-Lavery
Guest Judge: Chris Saines CNZM
Collections Manager: Nicholas Williams
Public Programs: Sarah Lewis
Content type: Visual Art
Gallery Director and Award Curator: Tracy Cooper-Lavery
Guest Judge: Chris Saines CNZM
Collections Manager: Nicholas Williams
Public Programs: Sarah Lewis
Content type: Visual Art
2017’s Award exhibition included well known Australian names like Polly Borland, Danie Mellor, and Darren Sylvester, as well as a strong selection of Gold Coast and Queensland based artists. Compared to previous Awards, 2017’s had a noticeably stronger representation of contemporary topics affecting twenty-first century Australians too; climate change, gender diversity, and shifting economic and technological landscapes.
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2017 marked the passing of the Mrs Win Schubert AO who setup the Award to memorialise Josephine Ulrick in 2002. To help celebrate Schubert’s legacy, prize money was increased and Chris Saines CNZM was invited as its guest judge, the Director of Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art whom Schubert was a longstanding patron of.
Polly Borland took the winning prize with Two Heads A (2016), whilst Darren Sylvester’s Broken Model (2016) and Danie Mellor’s The distance (envisioning Girrugarr) (2017) were acquired as runners up. Each artwork finding a new home within the Gallery’s permanent collection.
HOTA Gallery Director Tracy Cooper-Lavery remarked, “Art prizes like the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photography Award play an important role in our local cultural life and profile and promote the work of emerging and established artists to our audience.”
Working as the exhibition’s Project Coordinator, 2017 presented an opportunity to introduce digital workflow systems for artist and artwork handling. 2017 marking the first year the Award’s administration was processed via web template entry, and later captured through collections management software (Vernon Systems).
Polly Borland took the winning prize with Two Heads A (2016), whilst Darren Sylvester’s Broken Model (2016) and Danie Mellor’s The distance (envisioning Girrugarr) (2017) were acquired as runners up. Each artwork finding a new home within the Gallery’s permanent collection.
HOTA Gallery Director Tracy Cooper-Lavery remarked, “Art prizes like the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photography Award play an important role in our local cultural life and profile and promote the work of emerging and established artists to our audience.”
Working as the exhibition’s Project Coordinator, 2017 presented an opportunity to introduce digital workflow systems for artist and artwork handling. 2017 marking the first year the Award’s administration was processed via web template entry, and later captured through collections management software (Vernon Systems).

Queensland Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art Director Chris Saines CNZM alongside winning entry Polly Borland’s Two Heads A (2016). Image courtesy of HOTA Gallery.

Danie Mellor’s The distance (envisioning Girrugarr) (2017) was acquired into the permanent collection. Image courtesy of HOTA Gallery.
Press and Media
Art Almanac, Polly Borland awarded the Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photography Award, 13 September 2017.
My GC, Polly Borland Awarded Josephine Ulrick Win Schubert Photography Award 2017, 8 September 2017.
Art Guide Australia, Polly Borland wins Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photography Award 2017, 13 September 2017.