The Immunisation Coalition called in the Artists!

The Selection Panel chaired by Laureate Professor Peter Doherty had to select winners from almost 100 submissions to the Immunisation Coalition’s inaugural Art Prize. The prize-winning artwork will be used in the 2021 influenza vaccination campaign that starts today with the Influenza Action Week.

Influenza as an art subject is not new. Artists tried to make sense of the world in the wake of the 1918 influenza pandemic. “Science and art are human attempts to understand and describe the world in which we live. While subjects and methods have different traditions, and the intended audiences are different, the motivations and goals are fundamentally the same. And in times of anti-science movements, it is more important than ever to reach people with science-based messages in lots of different ways” explains Prof Doherty.

Immunisation Coalition CEO Kim Sampson: “I have been really impressed with the quality and versatility of the artworks that were submitted – it has been quite inspirational! We were very fortunate to have such a talented panel of judges – I sincerely thank them for the time they put into the project. It is wonderful to see how well artists – both young and old – recognise the importance of an annual flu shot.

The winning Artworks can be viewed from today on the Immunisation Coalition Website: https://www.immunisationcoalition.org.au/2021-art-prize/

Free influenza vaccination clinics will take place at the Melbourne Town Hall, Sydney Lower Town Hall and Perth Town Hall on Friday 30th April 2021. People can book here: https://www.immunisationcoalition.org.au/events/free-influenza-vaccination-30-april-2021/

The diverse Selection Panel for the Influenza Art Prize has been chaired by Laureate Professor, Peter Doherty, supported by: Claudia Terstappen (international artist), Ginni Mansberg (GP), Kate Fitzpatrick (Melbourne International Film Fest), Prof Dominic Dwyer (Microbiologist and Clinical Professor of Medicine for Immunology and Infectious Diseases).

The Immunisation Coalition is proud to announce the winners of the 2021 Art Prize.

First Prize Category A – Primary & Secondary Visual Art

Sonya Clark
12, NSW, Australia

“Stamp it Out”

First Prize Category B – Tertiary & Open Visual Art

Erzsebet Kis-Nagy
Budapest, Hungary

“Solitude of the Spanish Steps”

First Prize Category E – Tertiary & Open Short Film

Jamie Cardillo & Jarrah Palethorpe
17 & 18, ACT, Australia

“The Door”

Merit Prize

Sian Burman
Victoria, Australia

“Cocooned”

Christine Shen
14, Western Australia, Australia

“Quarantine within a vending machine”

Catherine Reynolds
NSW, Australia

“Her wings were frayed, her face masked, but still she held on to hope”

Janet Fitzpatrick
Victoria, Australia

“Remember the Mask”

Tully McArtur
9, Tasmania, Australia

“Prevention”

Jessica Oliver
Western Australia, Australia

“The Scarcity of Surviving”

Jemima Selby
10, Tasmania, Australia

“Save Lives – Vaccinate!”

Lorents Railda
NSW, Australia

“Be Responsible”

Brooke Daljac
14, Western Australia, Australia

“The Cure”

Louisa Antico
NSW, Australia

“The Air That I Breath”

The competition launched by the Immunisation Coalition was open to amateur and professional artists, young or old, and no special qualifications required. Artists were able to compete in different categories to ensure a level playing field.

The Immunisation Coalition is an Australian, not-for-profit organisation registered with the ACNC. We advocate for the protection of all Australians against infectious diseases through immunisation.

If you would like to arrange an interview,

Please contact:

Susanne Sperber, Head of Communication Immunisation Coalition: Susanne@immunisationcoalition.org.au or

Kim Sampson, CEO Immunisation Coalition: kim@immunisationcoalition.org.au

https://www.immunisationcoalition.org.au/events/influenza-action-week/

Or join the conversation at https://www.facebook.com/immunisationcoalition/ and Twitter https://twitter.com/immunisationgap

About Immunisation Coalition

The Immunisation Coalition is a not-for-profit advocacy group with a mission to create awareness about the importance of immunisation. Immunisation still provides the best protection against infectious diseases. We work with consumers, health professionals and organisations with an interest in immunisation and government health agencies, ensuring that the information provided to consumers through our website and other communication channels is current, easily understood and scientifically informed. www.immunisationcoalition.org.au