Artist Richard Lewer Wins $25,000 Blake Prize for Religious Art as Future of Award in Doubt

ABC 
By Antonette Collins

2014 Blake Prize Winner, Melbourne-based artist Richard Lewer with an image from his digital work, Worse luck I am still here, a video animation of delicate black and white drawings that tells the tragic love story of a Perth pensioner who survived a failed assisted-suicide pact with his chronically ill wife, on Saturday December 13 2014.

AUSTRALIA---Melbourne-based artist Richard Lewer has won the $25,000 Blake Prize for religious art in what could be the last year it is awarded. The often controversial prize is in jeopardy after being unable to secure a major sponsor. Blake Prize chairman Dr Rod Pattenden spoke at the opening ceremony for the 63rd year of the award at the University of New South Wales Galleries. "This a diverse, challenging and deeply moving exhibition of words and images that helps us see what matters most to those who carry the imagination of our culture," he said. "It is sad to note that due to lack of sponsorship it may be the last Blake."[link]