I am honoured that “Pure Responsibility” has been selected from almost 1000 entries nationally as a finalist in the highly-prestigious biannual Arthur Guy Memorial painting prize, which is held at the Bendigo Art Gallery from 25 November 2023 until 18 February 2024.

The laws of motion inherent in a Newton’s Cradles’ design align with the notion of action and reaction, making it the ultimate metaphor of executive control. “Pure Responsibility” expands this cliché to encompass decision and consequence, demand and culpability.

The analogy also extends to corporate decisions made in one location without consideration of the potential consequences elsewhere in the world, out of sight from the instigator. While the two events may not at first be obviously related, the explosive chain reaction exposes the undeniable link.

If only responsibility and accountability were so connected.

Held every two years, the Arthur Guy Memorial Painting Prize attracts some of Australia’s most accomplished artists, awarding an acquisitive cash prize of $50,000. The Prize provides Bendigo Art Gallery with the opportunity to survey a breadth of contemporary painting by established and emerging artists from across Australia. Previous winners include Stieg Persson, Dale Frank, Stephen Bush, Jan Nelson, Tim Johnson, Chris Bond, Guan Wei, Margaret Loy Pula, Jahnne Pascoe-White and Kirsty Budge.

During WWII Arthur Guy’s plane crashed in New Guinea while on an Australian Air Force mission delivering supplies to troops. He was 31. His brother Allen created the award in Guy’s honour.