Minnawarra Art Awards Winners
Award: Gerry Gauntlett Award
Artwork Name: Fanrandole
Artist: Christophe Canato
Judges’ Comments: An utterly compelling, enigmatic image. The dynamic composition is simultaneously stop-motion and fluid, the players intimately connected yet disengaged. Christophe’s command of light, shade and texture enables this image to equally address concerns in the discipline of contemporary photography yet affords the work the impact and power that a more visceral object such as a classical painting possesses.
Award: Stockland Sculpture Prize
Artwork Name: Those were the times
Artist: Linda Banazis
Judges’ Comments: This sculptural arrangement is deceptively unassuming, yet it is a provocative work which breaks almost every rule and tradition in sculpture. It commands the space in which it stands, dispensing with a plinth yet reaching to the ceiling, swelling its own volume and co-opting the building for its own purposes. It does so, though, with the inventive use of the humblest of materials and unconventional construction techniques. The surrealist forms evoke journeys, and bodies, from umbilical beginnings to withered ends.
Award: Highly Commended
Artwork Name: Havana Chic
Artist: Jenny Herbert
Judges’ Comments: This intriguing image immediately captures our attention. The composition involves a clever conversion of an image in a mirror into another portrait. The well-handled areas of paint are a joyous celebration of detail, such as the sandled feet, allowing the viewer to be transported to witness the scene as the artist did.
Award: Local Artist Award
Artwork Name: Yellow Paint Brush
Artist: Kathryn Haug
Judges’ Comments: This simple still life involves a clever play of ideas on the subject of painting – the painting of a painting brush. Kathryn’s bravura use of colour and deployment of technique is applauded and the modest size of this painting belies its punch.
Award: Gerry Gauntlett Award
Artwork Name: A Rare Bird in the Lands
Artist: Eva Fernandez
Judges’ Comments: Sophisticated and technically strong, effective framing and use of dateable, decorative characteristic elements decorative. Reworking our understanding of an icon in the landscape. Staged reminiscent of Victorian era and presents a Contemporary reading of history. Darkness of colonial stories contained portrayed by the Black swan and our relationship with decorative arts.
Award: Stockland Sculpture Award
Artwork Name: Mute Figure #6 (Fading Out Even As It Focuses)
Artist: Paul Kaptein
Judges’ Comments: Interesting take on Self Portraiture – a cognizant of the developmental nature of an artist’s practice. Sombre – a death mask - yet playful, taking elements of portraiture from painting and sculpture and its display mechanisms and combines them. Discussion on contemporary art, blended mediums, falling apart of being constructed? Embraced loss of control and development of practice. Stretch of time/distortion.
Award: Local Artists
Artwork Name: Depression is
Artist: Catharine Willey
Judges’ Comments: Poignant and important subject matter, strong portrait highlighting a contemporary issue. Strong and forthright but empathetic. Arresting gaze highlights a universal but personal story. Sensitively handled.
Award: Highly Commended
Artwork Name: Topography
Artist: Susan Roux
Judges’ Comments: Brave use of composition, the work is contemplative yet varied and complex. As a process driven work the artist has a natural understanding of the materials and process being undertaken. Tension between calm tonal values versus the ruptured and torn material use. Macro/micro tension.
Award: 2017 Gerry Gauntlett Award
Artwork Name: This Discovering 2
Artist: Ruth de Vos
Award: 2017 Highly Commended Award
Artwork Name: Isabel le Catolica
Artist: Eva Fernandez
Award: 2017 Local Artist Award
Artwork Name: Lost Wor(l)ds
Artist: Annabel Haizer
Award: 2017 Stockland Sculpture Award
Artwork Name: Quidalip III
Artist: Britt Mikkelsen
Award: 2017 Metropolitan Redevelopment Acquisition Award
Artwork Name: Soaked
Artist: Carly Le Cerf
Award: 2016 Gerry Gauntlett Award
Artwork Name: Platero y Yo
Artist: Eva Fernandez
Award: 2016 Highly Commended Award
Artwork Name: Silent Departure
Artist: Sharleen King
Award: 2016 Local Artist Award
Artwork Name: Portscape
Artist: Kerrie Di Cataldo
Award: 2016 Metropolitan Redevelopment Acquisition Award
Artwork Name: Lost
Artist: Eric Hynynen
Award: 2016 Stockland Sculpture Award
Artwork Name: Indigo Scrolls
Artist: Trudi Pollard
Award: 2015 Gerry Gauntlett Award
Artwork Name: Lost My Way
Artist: Mark Tweedie
Judge’s Comments: “The application of paint portrayed simplicity and confidence which came across in rich luscious tones. The vulnerability of the subject captured feeling and empathy, as if you were intimate with the subject. Amongst all the artwork your piece felt like it belonged.”
Award: 2015 Highly Commended Award
Artwork Name: Kensington Op Shop
Artist: Lorraine Sutherland
Judge’s Comments: “While this year’s Art Awards had some attractive pieces, the Kensington Op Shop portrayed mystery and authenticity. It was a piece we kept coming back too.”
Award: 2015 Inaugural Local Artist Award
Artwork Name: Fold Girls 3D
Artist: Jill Smith
Judge’s Comments: “It was great to see Jill experiment with new technology and skill. The piece was innovative without being faddish.”
Award: 2015 Metropolitan Redevelopment Authority Award
Artwork Name: Habbittatted
Artist: Leesa Padget
Judge’s Comments: “Leesa’s artwork, whilst controversial, aligns with the MRA’s conservation strategy and will send a powerful message to all our Project Manager’s and Partners.”
Award: 2015 Stockland 3D Award
Artwork Name: My Friend Bongo
Artist: Daniel Fisher
Judge’s Comments: “My Friend Bongo is an inspirational artwork which Stockland believes we could use as public art within the residential developments of Armadale.”