Art prize paints a new picture
Thu 31 August 2006
Amy Taylor, Journalism
West Australian aboriginal artist Shane Pickett is the inaugural winner of the Sunshine Coast Art Prize 2006.
Pickett’s acrylic on canvas, Wanyarang the Calling Season for Rain, was selected from 40 finalists by esteemed judge, Susan McCulloch.
A national art critic and co-author of McCulloch’s Encyclopaedia of Australian Art, Ms McCulloch said the standard of work was extremely impressive.
The prize has painted a new picture in the Australian art world, gaining national attention well beyond organiser expectations.
Caloundra Regional Art Gallery Director, John Waldron, said over 300 entries from around the nation had been received for the award, all vying for the $15,000 prize money and a four week residency at property in Maleny, in the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
“We were swamped with entries – from as far away as Perth and Far North Queensland. It was very well received. To get 300 in our first year is extraordinary and signals that it really is a prestigious competition. We are very excited and overwhelmed by the response,” Mr Waldron said.
Caloundra City Councillor Dick Newman said the award was acquisitive and had been funded by Caloundra City Council and Sajen legal law firm. Pickett’s winning work will become part of the Caloundra City Collection, held at Caloundra Regional Art Gallery.
“The $15,000 cash prize has been donated by Sajen legal. The other $5000 is being donated by council to go towards the residency at Maleny,” Cr Newman said.
Marketing manager for Sajen legal, Helen Perry, said they had made a financial commitment to the award for three years.
“I don’t think it’s the kind of thing you can do as a one-off, we’ve committed for three years. In the inaugural year we’ve had over 300 entries and we anticipate that will be even more after this year. Some of these entries are from very well respected artists from Melbourne and Sydney – so it has brought a national awareness to the Coast,” she said.
“There are some very talented local artists and basically there hasn’t really been a forum on the Sunshine Coast for them to exhibit their work.”
Mr Waldron said the award was also important for the Caloundra Regional Art Gallery because the gallery could start gathering its own collection of art.
He said Cr Newman had approached him with the suggestion of a new art award for the Sunshine Coast, which was to be specifically pitched at leading and emerging artists from across Australia. Mr Waldron then prepared a model for the award.
“It was quite a straightforward approach – 2D medium with $15,000 cash and residency at Maleny. The thrust of it is they’ll be able to set up in a studio and produce some work… the residency is a unique feature which extends the life of the project and provides a new dimension,” he said.
Image(s) designed by Amy Taylor
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Submitted Comments
Very interesting article, it s a great thing to promote the work of local artist.
Yannick Marechal
This is a good article for informing people have an interest in art about the awards. This is also a nicely written article.
Sarah McAtamney