ART UNLIMITED 2011 JUDGES’ COMMENTS
HANGING ART JUDGES
Kent Buchanan, Curator, Western Plains Cultural Centre, Dubbo
Helen Harwood, Director, Fairview ArtSpace, Mudgee
Pro Hart Prize winner – Kristy Holt “More Meadows”
Kent Buchanan: “The work kept jumping out at us, proving its strength and appeal. We kept coming back to it.”
Helen Harwood: “The size, colour and style of the work created an amazing impact for the viewer. The image was strong and using the contemporary style to execute the work was a winning combination. From wherever one stood in the space your eye was continually drawn back to the work. The use of colour was kept simple – the halo effect of the white behind the animals and on the green background was well balanced and kept your eye on the subject. Exciting work.
Western Plains Cultural Centre Prize winner – Derek Maitland “My Life as a Tree”
Kent Buchanan: “Dynamic, rich, colourful, interesting. Abstract and representational at the same time.”
Fairview ArtSpace Prize winner – Sarah Robinson “Love in May”
Helen Harwood: ”Sara’s winning piece had a sense of innocence about it. Good and balanced use of colour and line. The viewer was taken on a journey following a pen line through the work. It took long straight lines than a very convoluted passage to find the journey’s end with a small almost invisible rabbit peeking out from behind the line. A little of the Alice in Wonderland. The work was strong and I look forward to seeing her future work.”
Hanging Art Highly Commended – Ross Kurtz “Perthville Autumn”
Kent Buchanan: “Risky – a nice shift from the representational work he is known for.”
Helen Harwood: “Ross had great light and colour in his work and painting the work from a perspective of being above the main subject can be very difficult. The painting was well executed and the viewer had a sense of watching a story unfold before them. The light on the yellow poplars in the main body of the work was incredibly striking and it caught your eye from the first viewing.”
Hanging Art Highly Commended – David Lake “Evening – Hobby’s Yards”
Kent Buchanan: “Sensitive” beautifully painted work. Atmosphere created with simple brush strokes.”
Hanging Art Highly Commended – Myree Maloney “Wiradjuri Woman”
Kent Buchanan: “Really interesting use of wool. Very delicate and sensitively produced. Odd in a good way.”
Helen Harwood: “Myree’s felted work was startling – very clean, clear image with a strong presence.
PHOTOGRAPHY JUDGES
Jude Morrell
Ruby Davies
General comments:
“Wonderful range of subject matter, styles and views of the world. Interesting variety in the use of photography from documentation to a more studied approach.”
Photography Winner – Penny Alexander “Evolutions in Time – a lifetime”
“Compelling imagery – timely and timeless. Poetic and surreal. Contemporary, skilfully produced with a subtle beauty.”
Photography Highly Commended – Susan Nadalini “Mercurial”
“Deeply moving, mysterious and magical. Beautifully produced using a contemporary photographic approach.”
Photography Highly Commended – Mardi Redmond “The Stockman”
“A thoughtful moment captured and a successful combination of two images. A timeless quality.”
Photography Highly Commended – Phoebe Richard “Web of Worlds”
“Simple, elegant and stunning”
CERAMICS JUDGES
Lyn Cole
Mitsuo Shoji
General comments:
“A mixed bag of functional and sculptural work showing diverse direction of ceramic techniques and styles. The standard was quite high, displaying a challenging spirit, power and energy. Some of the works showed great technical skill.”
Ceramics Winner – Greg Daly “Morning Light”
“A large scale work beautifully executed with original lustre effects. Technically very difficult to make. Highly skilled and well done. The work speaks for itself.”
Ceramics Highly Commended – Carol Forster “Shall We Have Tea at Noosa?”
“A wonderful collaboration of sculpture and functional work. Individual pieces in the work are unique and beautifully executed. Creative form, fun, enjoyable, amazing work”
Ceramics Highly Commended – Rosalie Swords “Portrait of a Young Woman”
A well-constructed and complicated surface treatment expressing high emotion. The artist has great potential to develop their work. A very strong piece”
Ceramics Highly Commended – Geoff Thomas “Just Like the Rest of Us – We All Have our Faults”
“Highly professional, well executed work using cracks on the surface of the pot to express human fragility. There is a deliberateness about the work and the firing techniques bring life to it.”