top of page
2023 Exhibition 20-21 & 27-28 May
9:30am - 4pm (3pm Sunday 28th)
Past Shows
Past Shows: Pro Gallery
Past Shows
2022 Peabody Wilpinjong Hanging Art Prize – Rod Spicer “At Strike-a-Light (Property)”
LIZZY GALLOWAY – HANGING ART JUDGE
This is a beautifully executed landscape which highlights the artist's confident use of oil paint, varnish and palette knives. There is an underlying understanding and love for the Australian countryside by the artist which confidently captures the dirt road, rocky outcrop and lone farmer as he mends his fence. I was drawn to the Australian impressionist style and nod to Tom Robert's use of blue and golden hues as well as the seamless integration of the foreground through to the skyline.
This is a beautifully executed landscape which highlights the artist's confident use of oil paint, varnish and palette knives. There is an underlying understanding and love for the Australian countryside by the artist which confidently captures the dirt road, rocky outcrop and lone farmer as he mends his fence. I was drawn to the Australian impressionist style and nod to Tom Robert's use of blue and golden hues as well as the seamless integration of the foreground through to the skyline.
2022 Art Unlimited Ceramics Prize – Susie McMeekin “Snow on basalt vase”
PETER WILSON – CERAMICS JUDGE
I developed a range of criteria upon which to base my aesthetic decisions, ie, form and surface harmony/resolution, complexity and uniqueness, technical facility/craft skills.
I developed a range of criteria upon which to base my aesthetic decisions, ie, form and surface harmony/resolution, complexity and uniqueness, technical facility/craft skills.
2022 RES Photography Prize – Kate Barclay, Canowindra “Hibiscus Ballet”
JUDE MORRELL – PHOTOGRAPHY JUDGE
A brilliantly moving, still image. This photograph is mesmerising in its beauty.
The composition, spacial considerations and monochrome tones add to its subtle sense of movement and flight. The image helps to provide a contemporary emblem to nature on a precipice, with its grace and fragility.
A brilliantly moving, still image. This photograph is mesmerising in its beauty.
The composition, spacial considerations and monochrome tones add to its subtle sense of movement and flight. The image helps to provide a contemporary emblem to nature on a precipice, with its grace and fragility.
2022 Hanging Art Highly Commended – Jaymee Hyland “Isaac”
LIZZY GALLOWAY – HANGING ART JUDGE
This is a really strong portrait. The artist has captured the challenging, proud, almost intimidating gaze of the sitter with restrained, yet confident brush work. The black background further complements the detailed rendering of the head dress and beard.
This is a really strong portrait. The artist has captured the challenging, proud, almost intimidating gaze of the sitter with restrained, yet confident brush work. The black background further complements the detailed rendering of the head dress and beard.
2022 Hanging Art Highly Commended – Eugenia Dunlevie “Approaching Storm”
LIZZY GALLOWAY – HANGING ART JUDGE
There is a beautiful energy and intensity in both of works in this small diptych. The skies have been confidently painted and really create a moody, wild Australian landscape with a very strong understanding of composition.
There is a beautiful energy and intensity in both of works in this small diptych. The skies have been confidently painted and really create a moody, wild Australian landscape with a very strong understanding of composition.
2022 Hanging Art Highly Commended – Don Talintyre “Country Link”
LIZZY GALLOWAY – HANGING ART JUDGE
I was intrigued by the cinematic quality of this work. If you remove the train from the narrative, the scene depicted with the old railway station, its large chimney and the identifiable traveller could have been set 100 years ago. I particularly like how the artist has captured the colours of the Australian sky at dusk.
I was intrigued by the cinematic quality of this work. If you remove the train from the narrative, the scene depicted with the old railway station, its large chimney and the identifiable traveller could have been set 100 years ago. I particularly like how the artist has captured the colours of the Australian sky at dusk.
2022 Photography Highly Commended – Andrew Batey “Desert Illumination
JUDE MORRELL – PHOTOGRAPHY JUDGE
A stunning and immersive landscape photograph showing the majesty of the open sky at night. An immensely powerful image that could almost take us back to the beginning of time on our planet. And curious, as we do actually look back into time staring into its luminous space. Poetic, powerful and wondrous.
A stunning and immersive landscape photograph showing the majesty of the open sky at night. An immensely powerful image that could almost take us back to the beginning of time on our planet. And curious, as we do actually look back into time staring into its luminous space. Poetic, powerful and wondrous.
2022Photography Highly Commended - Lorraine King “Bawi-li Dhunbarrbila-li dhuwarr”
JUDE MORRELL – PHOTOGRAPHY JUDGE
This beautiful triptych shows a powerful indigenous connection to land and country.
The collecting of seeds in these photographs is gently portrayed by the interplay between the images. The first two images are sensitive and delicate, with subtle use of colour and a beautiful feeling throughout. The last one completes the story on a more dramatic note with the blowing of the seeds to the wind.
This beautiful triptych shows a powerful indigenous connection to land and country.
The collecting of seeds in these photographs is gently portrayed by the interplay between the images. The first two images are sensitive and delicate, with subtle use of colour and a beautiful feeling throughout. The last one completes the story on a more dramatic note with the blowing of the seeds to the wind.
2022 Photography Highly Commended – Lise Edwards “Portrait in Clay”
JUDE MORRELL – PHOTOGRAPHY JUDGE
Eerily poignant, this image portrays both a gentle humanity and a slightly disturbing otherness to it. The long vertical format encloses and compounds the intensity of the image, adding to its strength with good use of lighting providing some mysterious dark spaces.
Eerily poignant, this image portrays both a gentle humanity and a slightly disturbing otherness to it. The long vertical format encloses and compounds the intensity of the image, adding to its strength with good use of lighting providing some mysterious dark spaces.
2022 Ceramics Highly Commended – Geoff Thomas “Anagama Jar”
PETER WILSON – CERAMICS JUDGE
This large jar highlights the range of subtle and nuanced effects of a wood-fired surface. It shows the flame path of the fire and the resultant glazes as formed by the wood ash deposition. Thomas has created a virtual symphony of effects on the surface of this pot.
This large jar highlights the range of subtle and nuanced effects of a wood-fired surface. It shows the flame path of the fire and the resultant glazes as formed by the wood ash deposition. Thomas has created a virtual symphony of effects on the surface of this pot.
2022 Ceramics Highly Commended – Pamela Welsh “The Princess and the Glass Piano 1”
PETER WILSON – CERAMICS JUDGE
This sculptural piece shows uniqueness and well-developed craft skills in its execution. There is clearly a quirky creativity at play which hints at a range of possible narratives.
This sculptural piece shows uniqueness and well-developed craft skills in its execution. There is clearly a quirky creativity at play which hints at a range of possible narratives.
2022 Ceramics Highly Commended - Anne Mossman “Raining Celebrations”
PETER WILSON – CERAMICS JUDGE
This piece demonstrates the intricate and complex manipulation of coloured porcelain slips joined into a vessel to create designed and patterned surfaces.
This piece demonstrates the intricate and complex manipulation of coloured porcelain slips joined into a vessel to create designed and patterned surfaces.
2022 Deutscher Contracting Packing Room Prize – Pauline Welfare “Dragon Fly Pot”
2022 Janace Holmes Family Memorial Prize – Geraldine Taylor “Dawn Guardian”
2022 ABC Western Plains Prize – Merren Turnbull, Bourke “Run for Your Money”
LIZZY GALLOWAY – JUDGE
This is a lovely depiction of a spectacular outback Australian sunset. The artist has competently used the pastels to create the beautiful colours of an enormous sky which dwarfs the foreground goat as they're urgently herded into the livestock truck in the remains of the day.
This is a lovely depiction of a spectacular outback Australian sunset. The artist has competently used the pastels to create the beautiful colours of an enormous sky which dwarfs the foreground goat as they're urgently herded into the livestock truck in the remains of the day.
2021 Peabody Wilpinjong Prize for Hanging Art winner - Eleanor Anson, “Aftermath”
Judge – Bradley Hammond, Director of Orange Regional Gallery
Comments:
This painting offers us a personal interpretation of a scene we all know so well. Eleanor’s use of copper and silver paint is skillfully applied to present a scene after a bushfire that is both devastating and beautiful or enchanting. I selected this painting because of its strange eerie light and the way it stayed with me afterwards, I kept returning to it.
Comments:
This painting offers us a personal interpretation of a scene we all know so well. Eleanor’s use of copper and silver paint is skillfully applied to present a scene after a bushfire that is both devastating and beautiful or enchanting. I selected this painting because of its strange eerie light and the way it stayed with me afterwards, I kept returning to it.
2021 ib vogt Prize for Photography winner - Andrew Davis, “Pacific”
Judge – Steven Cavanagh, artist, curator and educator.
Comments:
Nostalgic, confident, ambitious – it speaks of the history of photography as a tool for documentation. This image brings attention to the overlooked and ordinariness of life and industry. It is epic in its quiet detail and scale. It alludes to the human condition and the passage of time. An elegant vision.
Comments:
Nostalgic, confident, ambitious – it speaks of the history of photography as a tool for documentation. This image brings attention to the overlooked and ordinariness of life and industry. It is epic in its quiet detail and scale. It alludes to the human condition and the passage of time. An elegant vision.
2021 Art Unlimited Ceramics Prize winner - John Tuckwell, “We Stopped the Clouds”
Judge – Milena Sallustio, fine arts educator, curator and ceramic artist.
Comments:
Quietly standing proud is the exquisite and delicate work of John Tuckwell. Subtle colours with a gentle sweep of movement. Ambitious technically and conceptually.
Comments:
Quietly standing proud is the exquisite and delicate work of John Tuckwell. Subtle colours with a gentle sweep of movement. Ambitious technically and conceptually.
2021 ABC Western Plains Prize – Gil Pedrana “Riverbank Frank”
Judge - Alicia Leggett, Executive Director, Orana Arts.
Comments:
The selected work is a representation of an icon to the Western Plains region. Gill Pedrana's beautiful pencil drawing of Riverbank Frank not only captures the man's physical features, but also his warmth as a person with an exceptional sense of self. Gill Pedrana, a Dubbo-based artist, is known for her ability to capture the likeness of her sitters, be it in pen or paint. But her skill also transcends two-fold, understanding her sitters as well as understanding the medium in which she selects to portray them. Her representing Riverbank Frank in pencil provides the viewer with a moment of knowing him, of taking the time to sense the draftsmanship of the artist's hand as well as the features of a life lived with love and adversity. If you are from these parts you know Riverbank Frank, you know his love of his culture and his appreciation of all his experiences that have made him the man he is today. A man who shares, who cares and knows that life isn't easy, but it is worth fighting for what is just and what is necessary for all to live more harmoniously.
Comments:
The selected work is a representation of an icon to the Western Plains region. Gill Pedrana's beautiful pencil drawing of Riverbank Frank not only captures the man's physical features, but also his warmth as a person with an exceptional sense of self. Gill Pedrana, a Dubbo-based artist, is known for her ability to capture the likeness of her sitters, be it in pen or paint. But her skill also transcends two-fold, understanding her sitters as well as understanding the medium in which she selects to portray them. Her representing Riverbank Frank in pencil provides the viewer with a moment of knowing him, of taking the time to sense the draftsmanship of the artist's hand as well as the features of a life lived with love and adversity. If you are from these parts you know Riverbank Frank, you know his love of his culture and his appreciation of all his experiences that have made him the man he is today. A man who shares, who cares and knows that life isn't easy, but it is worth fighting for what is just and what is necessary for all to live more harmoniously.
2021 Deutscher Packing Room Prize – “Busy” by Christine O’Leary
2021 Janace Holmes Family Memorial Prize – “Sunset” by Glen Southwood
2021 Highly Commended Hanging Art - Harriet Taylor “My Grandfather”
Judges Comments:
One of the few portraits this year which not only aims for a likeness, but also conveys a psychological presence of the subject. The portrait feels intimate and personal and the scale and composition are ambitious.
One of the few portraits this year which not only aims for a likeness, but also conveys a psychological presence of the subject. The portrait feels intimate and personal and the scale and composition are ambitious.
2021 Highly Commended Hanging Art - “Banksia and Found Objects” by Kim Harding
Judges Comments:
Kim Harding’s quiet and restrained painting is skillfully handled and elegant in its simplicity. The handling of the shadows on the walls contrasts beautifully with the more graphic handling of the banksia and found objects
Kim Harding’s quiet and restrained painting is skillfully handled and elegant in its simplicity. The handling of the shadows on the walls contrasts beautifully with the more graphic handling of the banksia and found objects
2021 Highly Commended Hanging Art - “Your Bubbly Essence Left Me Screaming” by Chris Kunko
Judges Comments:
This is a highly ambitious painting that has a wonderful dry sense of humour. The technique appears crude at first, but a second look reveals that the treatment of the surface is deliberate and brings an immediacy. It is both funny and threatening at the same time which makes it intriguing as a portrait.
This is a highly ambitious painting that has a wonderful dry sense of humour. The technique appears crude at first, but a second look reveals that the treatment of the surface is deliberate and brings an immediacy. It is both funny and threatening at the same time which makes it intriguing as a portrait.
2021 Photogrpahy Highly Comended - “Beauty” by Rowena Galway
Judges Comments:
Strong graphic work in the tradition of portraiture. Two artists who come to mind are Leigh Bowery and Cindy Sherman. Exploring identity and performance with technical ability to work with lighting and colour. It reduces the body to an abstracted form that speaks of the artist’s internal journey. This work is experimental, defiant and brave.
Strong graphic work in the tradition of portraiture. Two artists who come to mind are Leigh Bowery and Cindy Sherman. Exploring identity and performance with technical ability to work with lighting and colour. It reduces the body to an abstracted form that speaks of the artist’s internal journey. This work is experimental, defiant and brave.
2021 Highly Commended Photography - “Juxtapose 1,2 and 3” by Danelle Adams
Judges Comments:
This work seen as a triptych is powerful, connecting the body to landscape and harnessing the energy of life. A sensitive observation with a dream-like quality. It contains a sense of history – presence + absence. It is three major works to be experienced as one work.
This work seen as a triptych is powerful, connecting the body to landscape and harnessing the energy of life. A sensitive observation with a dream-like quality. It contains a sense of history – presence + absence. It is three major works to be experienced as one work.
2021 Highly Commended Photography - “Trudge and Roses” by Tim White
In the tradition of still life, the formality of this work is reminiscent of 17th century Dutch painting. Attention to lighting and composition is paramount. The elegant and delicate colour is a knock-out. A confident work.
2021 Highly Commended Ceramics - “Large Serving Bowl” by Susie McMeekin
Judges Comments:
Beautifully made piece of Susie McMeekin. Classically shaped vessel with exquisite glaze.
Beautifully made piece of Susie McMeekin. Classically shaped vessel with exquisite glaze.
2021 Orana Arts Prize & Highly Commended Ceramics– Greg Daly “Dappled Light”
Judges Comments:
While I’m familiar with Greg's work from his previous submissions to Art Unlimited, this one stopped me in my tracks. The beauty and gentleness of the glaze and shape made me just want to touch it with a gentleness that I wasn't familiar with. I love ceramics and I do touch (perhaps even when I shouldn't) because it is the nature of the material that draws you in. It can be the rough edges from a wood-fired work to the pristine porcelain finish of a vase that pulls you in. This work draws your hands and eyes but with a sense of calmness that permeates from the opalised glaze. Orana Arts looks forward to having a conversation with Greg about his work and his commitment to events such as Art Unlimited. Our Studio Co!Lab members will surely enjoy hearing him share his experiences on creating a successful practice in regional NSW.
While I’m familiar with Greg's work from his previous submissions to Art Unlimited, this one stopped me in my tracks. The beauty and gentleness of the glaze and shape made me just want to touch it with a gentleness that I wasn't familiar with. I love ceramics and I do touch (perhaps even when I shouldn't) because it is the nature of the material that draws you in. It can be the rough edges from a wood-fired work to the pristine porcelain finish of a vase that pulls you in. This work draws your hands and eyes but with a sense of calmness that permeates from the opalised glaze. Orana Arts looks forward to having a conversation with Greg about his work and his commitment to events such as Art Unlimited. Our Studio Co!Lab members will surely enjoy hearing him share his experiences on creating a successful practice in regional NSW.
2021 Highly Commended Ceramics - "The Blues" by Owen Rye
Judges Comments:
Standing tall is the work by Owen Rye. A demonstration of strength of presence. Technically impressive.
Standing tall is the work by Owen Rye. A demonstration of strength of presence. Technically impressive.
2019 Peabody Wilpinjong Prize for Hanging Art - Graham Cox "Stormy Pastoral"
JUDGE – SARAH GURICH, DIRECTOR, BATHURST REGIONAL ART GALLERY
The drama of this pastoral scene, with its foreboding storm clouds, monumental landscape, and orange glow of the setting sun, is rich with metaphor and meaning.
The drama of this pastoral scene, with its foreboding storm clouds, monumental landscape, and orange glow of the setting sun, is rich with metaphor and meaning.
2019 Art Unlimited Prize for Photography - Claire Moorhouse "Time Out"
JUDGE – JENNY DAVIDSON, TEACHER, DIGITAL IMAGE CAPTURE AND PRODUCTION, ORANGE CAMPUS OF TAFE
The image caught my attention from the start. I kept coming back to it. I felt like asking the subject “How are you going?” A well seen image and story of life on the land.
The image caught my attention from the start. I kept coming back to it. I felt like asking the subject “How are you going?” A well seen image and story of life on the land.
2019 Art Unlimited Ceramics Prize - Moraig McKenna "Basket"
JUDGE – GEOFF THOMAS, AWARD WINNING POTTER AND TEACHER
Simple elegance
Simple elegance
2019 ABC Western Plains Prize - Hilary Rookyard "The Cusp"
JUDGE – ALICIA LEGGETT, DIRECTOR, ORANA ARTS
Initially I was attracted to the skill and formality of the encaustic medium.It felt so rich, which then brought me into a more contemplative view of the subject. How rich our land can be for all who genuinely care for it. It presented as an icon to a window to our landscape, always giving with a heavy burden to please so many.
Initially I was attracted to the skill and formality of the encaustic medium.It felt so rich, which then brought me into a more contemplative view of the subject. How rich our land can be for all who genuinely care for it. It presented as an icon to a window to our landscape, always giving with a heavy burden to please so many.
2019 Janace Holmes Family Memorial Prize - Geraldine Taylor "In Dawn's Gentle Light"
2019 Orana Arts Prize for Indigenous Art - Cheree Stokes "The Mob"
JUDGES – KODI BRADY, CREATIVE COMMUNITY CURATOR, ORANA ARTS; MARIAM ABBOUD, ASSISTANT CURATOR, WESTERN PLAINS CULTURAL CENTRE (WITH ALICIA LEGGETT, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, ORANA ARTS)
Alicia Leggett says: As the Executive Director of Orana Arts, I asked Kodi Brady our Creative Community Curator and Mariam Abboud, assistant Curator at the Western Plains Cultural Centre, to judge the Indigenous Art Prize. Being privy to their discussion, they took many aspects of the winning painting into consideration. Firstly they both were drawn to the colours used by the artist that presented a playfulness in the work. The judges were also captivated by the complexities and challenges of finding a visual balance of motifs which for them indicated the artists attempt at challenging the creative practice. I thank Kodi and Mariam for their input and for taking the time to judge on behalf of Orana Arts.
Alicia Leggett says: As the Executive Director of Orana Arts, I asked Kodi Brady our Creative Community Curator and Mariam Abboud, assistant Curator at the Western Plains Cultural Centre, to judge the Indigenous Art Prize. Being privy to their discussion, they took many aspects of the winning painting into consideration. Firstly they both were drawn to the colours used by the artist that presented a playfulness in the work. The judges were also captivated by the complexities and challenges of finding a visual balance of motifs which for them indicated the artists attempt at challenging the creative practice. I thank Kodi and Mariam for their input and for taking the time to judge on behalf of Orana Arts.
2018 Peabody Wilpinjong Prize For Hanging Art Winner: Rachel Melchers “Spring Musing”
HANGING ART JUDGE – GRAHAM COX
A real delight of a painting. Beautiful colour and atmosphere. A most difficult subject which succeeds brilliantly.
A real delight of a painting. Beautiful colour and atmosphere. A most difficult subject which succeeds brilliantly.
2018 Ib Vogt Prize For Photography Winner: Jason Mcdonald “Vulnerable Circle Of Life”
PHOTOGRAPHY JUDGE – JENET STEWART
Sometimes when you wander in the bush you find the most extraordinary pieces of nature. The beautiful light green moss on the twigs and trees, the pom pom-like seeds and nuts all over the ground underneath a tree, and if you’re lucky enough, a feather from a bird. The photographer of this image has not only gathered and captured intricate pieces of the bush but has presented them in such an amazing way. Almost like the circle of life, the image captured my eye within an instant and constantly drew me. A beautiful photographic piece with outstanding design elements.
Sometimes when you wander in the bush you find the most extraordinary pieces of nature. The beautiful light green moss on the twigs and trees, the pom pom-like seeds and nuts all over the ground underneath a tree, and if you’re lucky enough, a feather from a bird. The photographer of this image has not only gathered and captured intricate pieces of the bush but has presented them in such an amazing way. Almost like the circle of life, the image captured my eye within an instant and constantly drew me. A beautiful photographic piece with outstanding design elements.
2018 Art Unlimited Prize For Ceramics Winner: Ros Auld “The Shape Of Land”
CERAMICS JUDGE – RO FRANCIS
Painstakingly constructed, cleverly combining dramatic balance and proportion, the lizard skin cracked glaze fading to show inspiration from the natural.
Painstakingly constructed, cleverly combining dramatic balance and proportion, the lizard skin cracked glaze fading to show inspiration from the natural.
2018 Orana Arts Indigenous Artist Prize: Stephen Moore “Above The Clouds”
2018 Janace Holmes Family Memorial Prize: Elizabeth Ascher “Pretty Cocky”
2018 Abc Western Plains Prize: Chloe Gesler “Welcome To (The) Country”