Event Webb Award for 2025 opens
The Evan Webb Research award is offered by the Len Lye Foundation again in 2025, commemorating the artist (1952-2023) who was a key figure in the research and restoration of the work of Len Lye.
The award will be open to any researcher. The sum of NZD$1500 will be given annually to
the best original contribution to Lye scholarship from at least one of the following
categories:
- An unpublished research essay on some aspect of Len Lye’s sculpture, film-making,
or work in other genres, or his ideas, or his aesthetics - An unpublished research essay which makes an original contribution to knowledge
of Lye’s life and career - A proposal for research in the Lye archive at the Lye Centre in New Plymouth;
- 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 is annual, but the Len Lye Foundation will not be obliged to make an award if it
considers than 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.
The date for submission this year will be Friday August 29th 2025 and the result will be
announced Monday October 13th 2025. The winner will be selected by a committee of the
Foundation.
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.