This years award is made by Caroline Gascoigne, Literary Editor of The Sunday Times, to the Australian writer, critic and theoris Robert Hughes. Hughes' books include the groundbreaking Shock of the New, Culture of Complaint, The Fatal Shore, American Visions, Nothing If Not Critical and his latest offering on fishing, A Jerk on One End. His writing is never less than thrilling, and has the power to explore ideas with the force of Damascene revelation. HUghes will lecture and take questions from the audience.