Sally Simpson’s ‘Objects for the Unknown’ was last night crowned the winner of the Regional Art Award at the exhibition opening.
Ms Simpson was presented the award at the opening by Council Administrator, Mr Tim Overall with guest judges Claire Primrose and Laura Murray Cree describing the awards as ‘an exceptional exhibition for the region’. The exhibition features more than 30 works in both 2D 3D, with artworks using a variety of materials and messages.
The winning piece by Ms Simpson “has a lovely harmony and form with a unique sense of humour,” said Ms Murray Cree. “This artwork made of mud, bones and driftwood, fishing discards evocates a mythical like stance which is almost religious,” Ms Primrose said.
Ms Simpson described the artwork as “reference to African power figures, voodoo and Christian reliquaries, where the ritual associations are continued in her labour intensive processes of collecting, sorting, cleaning, preserving and transforming and stitching”.
The highly commended award was presented to Sharon Field for ‘Landscape II: Over endless plains, stumbling in cracked earth’ which was described by Ms Primrose as “technically exquisite”. “The use of composition, variation and contrast is ambiguous and intriguing. The effect means you cannot look without leaning in closer to marvel at the understated beauty,” Ms Murray Cree said.
The Form Studio & Gallery Award for Professional Practice was awarded to previous overall winner Leah-Kate Hannaford for her work ‘A Closer Look’. The artwork was chosen because it “had a beautiful use of line work with a strong use of colour, print work and drawing” Ms Primrose said. Fellow judge Ms Murray Cree was also positive saying ‘it was an artwork which is hard not to notice in the room’.
“Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Regional Art Award,” Mr Overall said. “I know the judges had a very tough time selecting some winners as there were some fabulous pieces of art and all entrants should be proud of their efforts. The artist in the Queanbeyan-Palerang area are exceptionally talented and we look to continue to support a vibrant and innovative art sector we have in our region.”
The Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Art Award exhibition will remain open in The Q’s exhibition space until 27 August and residents are encouraged to visit the exhibition and vote on the Peoples’ Choice award. The exhibition space is open Monday-Friday 10am-4pm and Saturday 10am-3pm.
