Can you turn crap into art?

Compete in the Poo-tastic Tasmanian Paint Off!
No bullshit, we promise.

Wombat poo painting by Mel Hills

We’re on the search for high-quality artworks created
with – you guessed it – poo!

What we are after

Artwork painted with real animal faeces (no human faeces permitted)

  • No paint, such as watercolour, acrylic paint, spray paint, etc. can be added.
  • The addition of water and a binder medium, such as gum arabic, is permissible.
  • Additions like gold leaf and other mixed media materials can be included for effect, as long as the poo paint
    remains the core feature of the artwork.
  • Surface material: any type of paper, including non-white cardboard
  • Subject matter and style: free choice, but it must be suitable for viewers of all ages, including children
  • The artwork must be the submitting artist’s own original concept and must have been created in 2024.

Description of the artwork, type of faeces used, and process (200 – 300 words)

Short bio and high-resolution headshot of the artist

Process video (3-5 minutes)

The rules

The competition is open to Tasmanian amateur and professional artists aged 18 and over.

Up to two artworks per person can be submitted.

There is no registration fee.

Shortlisted artworks will need to be framed and equipped with hanging hardware for public exhibition (maximum frame size W 800 mm x H 500 mm). The exact framing requirements will be emailed to the finalists.

Shortlisted artworks and process videos will be publicly displayed. The winning artworks will be permanently displayed at the Pooseum in Richmond. The Pooseum will take ownership of the winning artworks. All other finalists will receive their artworks back after the conclusion of the competition.

Judging criteria

Creativity and originality

Quality of the painting - artistic skills demonstrated,
composition, level of detail

Quality of the supplementary submission materials

Prizes

1st Prize $2000

2nd Prize $1000

3rd Prize $500

Public vote winner $100, donated by Spotlight

Key dates

30th September:
Registration is now closed.
7th - 13th October:
Submissions are due.
22nd October:
Notifications of shortlisted artworks are sent out.
1st - 24th November:
Submissions of framed shortlisted artworks are due (to be handed in at the Pooseum).
First week of December:
Public display of shortlisted artworks
9th December:
The winners of the inaugural Poo-tastic Tasmanian Paint Off are announced.

Disclaimer

There are many diseases that can be transmitted by animal faeces. We highly recommend always handling faeces with gloves and wearing a mask while painting. Competitors are responsible for the safe handling of the animal faeces with which they create their paintings. The Pooseum does not take responsibility for any ill effects caused by competitors not using faeces in a safe manner.

Any questions regarding the competition?

Please email Karin Koch at info@pooseum.com.au.