Prize recognises value of criticism

Art and Design associate dean, research and graduate studies, Dr Robert Nelson (pictured) has won the $15,000 Pascall Prize for his work as a critic of visual art.

The prize, named after Sydney art critic Geraldine Pascall, recognises the contribution of criticism to Australian culture.

Dr Nelson, who was commended in the 1996 prize, said he was delighted to scoop the top award this year.

"Obviously, there's a personal gratification," he said. "But it goes further than that. In the context of the university, where we believe our creative work is a form of research, the prize recognises that our work is of value."

Dr Nelson describes himself as a "pluralist" in the sense that he examines work in "alternative spaces" or artist-run galleries as well as art displayed in commercial and government-run galleries.

As a visual arts critic for The Age, Dr Nelson writes reviews and features of art exhibitions around selected themes.

"When I'm writing reviews, I try to bring in a lot of different shows under one theme and find some unifying topic, rather than discussing separate exhibits," he said.

"Different exhibits might not look alike but they might have something within their content that is very similar.

"For example, recently I explored the theme of machines. I talked about artists who looked at the relationship between machines and the body and discussed the mystique of machines and the fragility of the body and how the body is dependent on machines."

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Honour for ricegrowers

Mr Ian Langdon (right), inaugural winner of the Gold medal Award, makes the presentation to this year's winner, Mr Terry Hogan.

The Sir John Monash Gold Medal Award for Agribusiness Cooperative Directors was recently presented to Ricegrowers Cooperative Limited chairman Mr Terry Hogan.

The award seeks to recognise outstanding contributions by cooperative directors.

Mr Hogan became Ricegrowers Cooperative deputy chairman in 1989 and chairman in 1996 and has shown a sustained and substantial contribution to the ideals of the cooperative movement.

His leadership has led to the sustained growth and profitability of the Ricegrowers Cooperative, which is now Australia's largest exporter of branded food products.

The award was announced at the Monash University Agribusiness Cooperative Directors Seminar, an annual event organised by Monash in association with the Cooperative Federation of Victoria.

The program features interactive experiential learning through case studies and syndicate sessions and includes information aimed at preparing cooperative directors for the challenges of the new millennium.

More than 50 participants from throughout Australia and New Zealand attended the seminar.

For further information, contact Dr Lawrie Dooley on extn 32757.

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Sculpture award winner announced

Almost 200 people flocked to the Faculty Gallery at Caulfield campus recently for the announcement of the inaugural winner of the Baldessin Travelling Fellowship for Sculpture.

The $16,000 award, named after artist and sculptor George Baldessin, was won by Victorian College of the Arts student Darren Turner, who will use the prize money to travel overseas to further his sculpture studies.

Seven Monash students were among the finalists, whose work will be on display until 9 December. For further details, contact extn 32882.

Baldessin Travelling Fellowship finalists' work on display at the Faculty Gallery.