In 1996 the Pascall Prize is awarded
to a current critic or reviewer whose body of work has contributed most
in the area of the arts in which he is involved. Six of the previous
winners of the Pascall prize for critical writing formed a judging panel
to select this year's winner.
Faced with 44 nominations this year
for the Pascall Prize, the judges followed the Pascall Foundation
Guidelines to consider only those who reached " the greatest possible
number of Australians' and therefore only those who worked regularly in
a significant mainstream media outlet.
Down to a shortlist of five, the
judges found it extremely difficult to select a final winner but after
many hours of discussion and elimination decided to award the 1996
Pascall Prize to Bruce Elder, "because of the breadth of his
knowledge and his wide reaching work. Bruce Elder's words in print and
on radio mediate between generations by providing more traditional
audiences with an understanding of some new musical genres of major
public appeal, and new audiences with a context in which to listen to
contemporary work."
Highly commended were Adrian Martin
who "combines an awareness of contemporary critical theory and a
generosity of interest with a willingness to make sharp discriminations
and to explain why in a clear and engaging manner. His critical
rigour has had a positive influence on others writing in the same
field." Also highly commended was Humphrey McQueen who " is a gadfly on
the rump of the cultural establishment. His interdisciplinary approach
has brought fresh insights into a broad range of cultural issues."
Commended were David Stratton whose
"intelligence and affable comment has encouraged many Australians to
discuss the finer points of film in a forthright and unpretentious
manner," and Jill Sykes, whose " unwavering enthusiasm for the whole
range of dance and her unstinting energy in chronicling all its
manifestations have provided models of the way in which a critic can
awaken trust and confidence in the range and consistency of her
sympathies.
1996 Judges:
Roger Covell
Sandra Hall
John McCallum
Joanna Mendelssohn
Marion Halligan
Alan Saunders
Margaret Throsby AM (convenor)
