Calleen Art Award 2011 and Central West Regional Artists Award

Peter Gardiner Landscape 2010 No. VIII 2010, Oil on canvas 210 x 180cm. Image courtesy the artist.

16 April to 29 May 2011

Always exciting and entertaining, the awards foster and encourage originality, creativity and excellence. The Calleen Art Award (acquisitive) was established in 1977 and has developed into a major national art award with 2011 prize money of $15,000. The Central West Regional Artists Award (non-acquisitive) was established in 2009 by the Cowra Regional Art Gallery and includes $2,000 prize money. There is also a People’s Choice Award of $500.

The winner of the 2011 Calleen Art Award is Newcastle based artist Peter Gardiner for his painting Landscape 2010 No.VIII 2010, oil on canvas 210 x 180 cm.

The winner of the 2011 Central West Regional Artists Award is Stuart Town based artist Tim Winters for his painting The Pinnacles Desert 2010, mixed media on canvas 150 x 150 cm.

Exhibition Opening

The winners of the 2011 Calleen Art Award and Central West Regional Artists Award were announced at the awards exhibition opening on Friday 15 April at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery. Over 150 people attended the opening including many of the finalists, some from interstate and as far away as West Australia. Cr Bill West, Mayor Cowra Shire Council opened the exhibition. The announcement of the award winners was by the 2011 awards judge Deborah Ely, CEO of the Bundanon Trust.

The Calleen Art Award was established in 1977 through a gift by Mrs. Patricia Fagan OAM. During the past 34 years, the award has developed into a major art prize for painting and now worth $15,000 through the generous support of the Calleen Trust. The Calleen Art Award is an acquisitive award and the winning work will become part of the Calleen Art Collection at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery.

The Central West Regional Artists Award is a non acquisitive award for painting and drawing. The award was established in 2009 by the Cowra Regional Art Gallery with prize money of $2,000 donated by David Henley, Cowra based artist and patron of the Gallery. The award is open to artists living in the Central West Region of NSW as defined by the local government areas of Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Lachlan, Lithgow, Mudgee/Gulgong (Mid Western Region), Oberon, Orange, Parkes, Weddin and Wellington. The winner of the 2011 award is also offered an exhibition at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery during 2012/2013

This year 71 artworks were selected from 214 artworks submitted.

The Friends of the Gallery Committee have also generously donated $500 for the People’s Choice Award which will be announced at the end of the exhibition.

2011 Calleen Art Award Winner

The winner of the 2011 Calleen Art Award is Newcastle based artist Peter Gardiner for his painting Landscape 2010 No.VIII 2010, oil on canvas 210 x 180 cm.

Judges Comments

Peter Gardiner’s Landscape 2010 Number VIII dips its hat to the Spanish masters Valezquez and Goya and to the traditions of landscape painting, but takes them to another place. The viewer becomes involved in a dark narrative that hints at an evolving, indecipherable, drama. It is both frightening and contemplative. There is a strong sense of the present in its possible references to catastrophic weather and natural disasters. It is a sensational painting and will be a wonderful acquisition for the Cowra Regional Art Gallery Collection.

2011 Central West Regional Artists Award Winner

The winner of the 2011 Central West Regional Artists Award is Stuart Town based artist Tim Winters for his painting The Pinnacles Desert 2010, mixed media on canvas 150 x 150 cm.

Judges Comments

Tim Winter’s stylish and confident painting celebrates the desert landscape, incorporating rich reds, ochres and pinks – edged with references to plant life with vibrant flashes of green.

Highly Commended – Calleen Art Award

  • Stephen Caldis (Gymea NSW), Pond of Tears 2011, oil on board 86 x 61cm
  • Peta Dzubiel (Elanora Heights NSW), July 2011, oil on canvas 76 x 91.5cm
  • Ross Laurie (Walcha NSW), Midground –Campfire Road 2010, oil on canvas 106.5 x 122cm.

Highly Commended – Central West Regional Artists Award

  • Rachel Ellis (Bathurst NSW), Orange House, George Street, Bathurst 2011, oil on linen 91.5 x 83.5cm.

 

Image: Peter Gardiner Landscape 2010 No. VIII 2010, Oil on canvas 210 x 180cm. Image courtesy the artist.

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