AGL Energy Ltd (AGL) and the Broken Hill Art Exchange are pleased to announce the finalists for the $10,000 AGL Viewing Platform Art and Design Competition.

The four finalists were selected from over 100 entries from around the country.

The finalists are;

• Ben Waters, Melbourne
• Timothy Bauer, country Queensland
• Bryce Bessell, South Australia
• Shay Carthew and Tayah Lee-Traub, Broken Hill

All entries will be on display at the first Desert Equinox Prelude event for 2017 entitled: A prelude to a Broken Hill Biennale of art celebrating Solar – Sun & Earth, which opens on Friday, 17 March 2017.

AGL Head of Government and Community Relations Tony Chappel, who was a member of the judging panel, said the number and variety of submissions was remarkable.

“Artists from across the country submitted entries in a wide range of mediums including sculpture, line drawing and paint.

“The quality was incredibly high, so selecting our finalists while great fun, was very challenging,” Mr Chappel said. Entries were judged on design excellence, celebration of environmental practices, solar energy and innovation, contribution to Broken Hill’s artistic and cultural heritage, and practicality and feasibility of construction. “The Broken Hill Art Exchange did an excellent job facilitating the judging, and have been a very professional organisation to partner with,” Mr Chappel said.

The Viewing Platform Art and Design Competition was launched earlier this year to celebrate the opening of AGL’s Broken Hill Solar Plant and enhance its educational potential. The 140-hectare solar plant produces enough renewable energy to power 17,000 homes every year.

The finalists have been given $1,000 to assist with travel to Broken Hill, and further develop their designs ready for a final concept presentation to the judging panel on Friday 24 March, 7pm in the Ivory Room, Musicians Club in Broken Hill.

The winner of the $10,000 first prize will be announced at an awards ceremony being held on Saturday 25 March 2017, 3pm at the Geocentre in Broken Hill. A $1,000 community choice award will also be announced.

For more information about the AGL Viewing Platform Art & Design Competition events, contact Susan Thomas from the Broken Hill Art Exchange, Ph: 08 8088 3171.

About AGL
AGL is one of Australia’s leading integrated energy companies. It is taking action to responsibly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions while providing secure and affordable energy to its customers. Drawing on over 175 years of experience, AGL serves its customers throughout eastern Australia with meeting their energy requirements, including gas, electricity, solar PV and related products and services. AGL has a diverse power generation portfolio including base, peaking and intermediate generation plants, spread across traditional thermal generation as well as renewable sources including hydro, wind, solar, landfill gas and biomass.