Barbara Peake Prize for Best In Show
Winner
“Mossman Gorge, Daintree”
by Margaret Meadows
This work stood out for me. Its excellent asymmetrical composition when viewed from afar was augmented by its intricate mark making on close observation. For me, a black and white work need a full range of tones which this successfully achieves. This Lino Print is also beautifully presented and makes an excellent pair for its coloured version.
Emerging Artist Prize
Winner
“Under her Wing”
by Tanya Di Michelle
Highly Commended
“The Whisper of Flowers”
by Ash Sookaram
Best Other
Winner
“Platter – Coolabah Burl”
by Harold Pinto
This shows the delight in the medium. The simplicity of the design and the smooth finish, focus our attention on the beauty of the wood grain. Well done!
Highly Commended
“Ocean Pod”
by Wendy Swan
This decorative ceramic pot cleverly uses its mirror base to highlight the decorative features on the bottom which would not be visible without this device. Sgraffito lines and more circular motifs like those reflected from the bottom create a pleasing unified design.
Highly Commended
“Ladies Tarn”
by Jackson Adams
This Rothko like atmospheric photograph shows great promise with its wonderful colours. However, I find the wooden frame clashes with this beautiful photograph and distracts from the image. I think painting the frame black or a colour in the photograph would enhance the final presentation.
Best Acrylic
Winner
“Following the Birrarung”
by Rain White
This large, bold contemporary landscape references the indigenous heritage of the area, in a personal way. The blue of the twining river contrasts with the complementary warm colours of the land. Pattern throughout creates movement in the scene.
Highly Commended
“Over the Hill”
by Sue Cook
This impression freely captures a country landscape with that special light before a storm, highlighted on the trunks and hills against a deep purple moody sky. The track invites us into to this unimposing scene. Well done!
Highly Commended
“Joy”
by Julia Meere
This joyous garden painting captures the beauty of a garden glimpse. Green hues unify the composition and complement the two vibrant pink flowers and bud. This is freely painted and shows promise.
Best Mixed Media
Winner
“Before the Storm”
by Lilja Bauer
This is a strong section with many contenders for the award. After much consideration I have selected a highly textural work with thick impastos counterbalanced by sensitive lines and explosions of muted colours and strong lights that suggest the energy build up before the storm.
Highly Commended
“Sunday”
by Suzanne Swann
This small creative textile embroidery immediately attracted my attention with its diverse fabric selection, interesting found objects, neat stitching, and structured applique. I was particularly impressed with the fabric escaping the order of the formal mount.
Highly Commended
“Urban Forest”
by Anne Ryan
This is an intriguing work of many layers with carefully arranged shapes complemented by excellent mark making. Negative areas balance areas of complexity. This square shaped work is beautifully presented to ensure our focus is on the artwork.
Best Watercolour
Winner
“A Gesture Toward the Light”
by Angela K Lee
This pleasing watercolour is well designed with wonderful use of tone to model the figure, head, and robes. The figure is place against a freely painted landscape background that make a harmonious composition. However, I am concerned that your decorative gold frame takes attention away from your beautiful painting.
Highly Commended
“View to Herring Island”
by Helene Oberman
This gouache study is well designed with a harmonious, limited palette except for the complementary warm touches of the bank. I love that the trees have been placed high in the composition, so our focus is on the myriad reflections. Gouache is such a great medium!
Highly Commended
“The Nobbbies Walk”
by Diane Hagqvist
This atmospheric watercolour is beautifully presented to enhance the painting. The painting clearly captures the essence of the spot. However, I feel a few small specks of the white paper showing through would highlight the immediacy of this medium and add vitality. Your work shows great promise.
Best Oil
Winner
“Sorrento Ocean Beach”
by Peter Gibson
This painting captures the rocky beach in an individual way. All areas – the cloudy sky, breaking distant waves and rocks have been simplified into shapes. These shapes are outlined to clarify their contours and are filled with flat areas of harmonious colours. This forms a cohesive composition while retaining the essence of the scene.
Highly Commended
“Pomegranates and Grapes”
by Yu Yaxuan
I have selected this still life because I was particularly impressed with the treatment of the basket, the reflections of the fallen fruit and the subtle suggestion of the tabletop. However, I feel there could be more highlights on the fruit and some darker areas to differentiate them more. The dark background enhances the composition and should be continued on the stretcher frame or be painted black as the white edges distract. This work shows great promise.
Highly Commended
“Bright Autumn Shadows”
by Lianne Fritsch
The vibrant, clean autumnal colours enhanced by rich darks attracted me to this joyous painting. The treatment of the ground is impressive. The strong contrasts make the foreground trees appear stylized which adds interest. However, I feel that some of the back tree trunks could be better observed to create more interesting shapes. Your work shows great promise.
