National Art Prize Awarded

Brisbane artist, Miles Hall is the winner of the fifth annual Sunshine Coast Art Prize announced last night at the Caloundra Regional Gallery. This year's judge, well-known art critic and weekly columnist for the Sydney Morning Herald, John McDonald awarded the $20,000 cash and residency prize to Hall's entry, Splice (Pine Lime).

"We see this work at first as a kind of landscape, depicting tangled undergrowth or a reflection in water. The severe green line across the bottom of the work creates a jarring contrast, bringing us back to the formal issues of line versus plane, depth as opposed to flatness," said McDonald.

The 'highly commended' was awarded to Catherine O'Donnell's Civic Centre, which is, by contrast to the winning entry, as close to a perfect combination of intention and technique as one will see in this exhibition. "Few will fail to be impressed by the artist's painstaking mastery of charcoal, and her careful delineation of a piece of urban geometry that would make even Jeffrey Smart think twice," said Mr McDonald. Civic Centre is a highly detailed charcoal on paper drawing of the urban environment.

The 'commended' artist is Vicki Hersey for her painting titled Still Life Objects. In her artist statement Vicki states that "her work over the years has changed to incorporate a more abstract emphasis to still life and landscape subjects. The exciting element for her in painting is to play with spatial relationships and to enforce the aesthetics of colour".

The exhibition showcasing the work of all 40 finalists, is now open at the Caloundra Regional Gallery until 3 October. Just a reminder that all work is for sale and entry to the Gallery is free. If you would like to place your vote for the People's Choice award you can do so at the Gallery.

PUBLIC PROGRAM

KIDS CLUB
10.00am--12.00pm, Saturday 4 September & Saturday 2 October
Children and families can have fun and participate in a SCAP inspired free art-making activity. Come along for five minutes or stay for the whole session.
No bookings required. Free.

SPRING ArtScool WORKSHOPS
Wednesday 22 September -- Caloundra Regional Gallery
Friday 24 September -- Kawana Library
Wednesday 29 September -- Maleny Library
Friday 1 October -- Beerwah Library
Bookings essential. Age group 8--15 years. $15 inclusive fee per workshop.

EXHIBITION TOURS
Exhibition Tours are available upon request. Bookings are essential. Contact Cathy Money, Education and Public Programs Officer, phone 07 5420 8296 or email cathy.money@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
For more information and bookings phone 07 5420 8299 or email artgallery@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au

SCAP DETAILS
Exhibition from 18 August to 3 October 2010
Open Monday to Sunday, 10.00am--4.00pm, free entry
CALOUNDRA REGIONAL GALLERY
22 Omrah Avenue, Caloundra QLD 4551
Contact: 07 5420 8299
Email: artgallery@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au
www.caloundraregionalgallery.org.au
FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.SCAP.ORG.AU

Graphic: Miles Hall, Splice (Pine Lime), oil on aluminium, 120 x 100cm, 2010

Permanent Link: National Art Prize Awarded
Publish Date: 27 Aug 10