About

This award, offered by the Len Lye Foundation, commemorates the artist Evan Webb (1952-2023) who was a key figure in the research and restoration of the work of Len Lye.

Criteria and application

The award will be open to any researcher. The sum of $1500 will be given annually to the best original contribution to Lye scholarship from at least one of the following categories:

1) An unpublished research essay on some aspect of Len Lye’s sculpture, film-making, or work in other genres, or his ideas, or his aesthetics;

2) An unpublished research essay which makes an original contribution to knowledge of Lye’s life and career;

3) A proposal for research in the Lye archive at the Lye Centre in New Plymouth;

4) An engineering design or research proposal which offers original suggestions for the restoration or building of a Lye sculpture. The proposal should aim at the improvement of existing procedures or contribute to the development of a work which existed only in the planning stage.

The length of the essay or proposal is not a key factor—what we are looking for is soundly-based, original work.

The prize will be annual, but the Len Lye Foundation will not be obliged to make an award if it considers that no application fully meets the criteria. If its current resources and the quality of entries permit, the Foundation may also offer a second, similar award, or enter into further discussion with the winner about a proposed engineering project or plans for research at the Lye archive.

Due date

The date for submission will be 31 August (each year, starting in August 2024) and the result will be announced by mid-October. The winner will be selected by a committee of the Foundation.

How to apply

Applications should be sent to Roger Horrocks who is coordinating the award on behalf of the Foundation: r.horrocks@xtra.co.nz. If postal submission is necessary, the address is: Len Lye Foundation, c/o New Plymouth District Council, Govett-Brewster Art Gallery, Private Bag 2025, New Plymouth 4340, Aotearoa New Zealand. Please pass on information about the award to anyone who may be interested. The coordinator can help to answer questions.