Calleen Art Award 2024 Winner Announced

Published on 05 October 2024

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The Cowra Regional Art Gallery is pleased to announce the winner of the CALLEEN ART AWARD 2024 is Sofala based artist Amanda Penrose Hart for her painting Shepherd’s Lookout 2023, oil on canvas. This exciting acquisitive painting prize worth $30,000 is open to artists across Australia (18 years and over). The CALLEEN ART AWARD was founded by Cowra art patron and collector Mrs. Patricia Fagan OAM in 1977 as a progressive acquisitive contemporary art award to foster creativity and excellence in the visual arts.

The announcement took place in conjunction with the launch of the Calleen Art Award 2024 finalist’s exhibition on Friday night 27 September 2024 with many of the 48 finalists in attendance. The exhibition was opened by Jenni Fagan – Calleen Trustee and the Calleen Art Award winner for 2024 was announced by the Award Judge Richard Perram OAM, independent curator.

Artist Statement

“In painting there is a stillness. I try and go lightly over the landscape - I try to not leave a mark or a footprint I don't want anyone to know I was there. You can't catch a cloud, although I try to in a painting. You can’t see heat, but I try and paint it. You can’t see wind, but I try and show it. Ahhh it’s a never-ending challenge - to paint what you can't see”. Amanda Penrose Hart - artist statement exhibition catalogue.

Judge’s comments – Calleen Art Award

"Judging an art prize is always an exciting thing to do. From the initial culling of the 254 entries from digital slides (in this year’s Calleen Art Award), to the final judging when you meet the 48 shortlisted works in the flesh for the first time, is an experience which I totally enjoy. Being asked by Brian Langer (Director, Cowra Regional Art Gallery) to undertake this role was accepted with great pleasure.

The final shortlisted works is made up of artists whose work I know so well to my discovering new artists whose work excites me, it is always a great experience.

The Calleen Art Award, worth $30,000, is one of the most prestigious acquisitive art awards in regional Australia and is open to anyone over 18 from anywhere in Australia, as such it is totally democratic. This democracy sees every kind of genre included, landscape, still life, abstract and non-representational.” excerpt from the Calleen Art Award announcement speech by the award judge, Richard Perram OAM.

Judges Comment - Winner of the Calleen Art Award 2024

“Amanda Penrose Hart is one of Australia’s most successful and senior plein air painters, having exhibited for over 30 years. Her art practice concentrates on the landscape in the Sofala, Cowra and Canberra region. This work “Shepherd’s Lookout” 2023 is based on the landscape at the back of Canberra in the Brindabellas, only 10 minutes from Canberra. It captures exquisitely this pristine and untouched area. Amanda was initially drawn to this landscape as it was where the great Australian artist Rosalie Gascoigne, who lived at nearby Stromlo, sourced many of the materials for her works. As such Amanda has an affinity with this artist and the landscape”. Richard Perram OAM.

When visiting the Calleen Art Award finalist’s exhibition visitors are welcome to vote for their favourite painting in the Calleen People’s Choice Award 2024 (non-acquisitive). The winning artist will be announced at the close of the exhibition and will be awarded $1,000, in prize money. The Calleen Art Award 2024 exhibition continues to Sunday 17 November 2024.

Image credit: Calleen Art Award opening (L to R) Brian Langer Director Cowra Regional Art Gallery, Jenni Fagan Calleen Trust, Amanda Penrose Hart Calleen Art Award winner, Richard Perram OAM award judge and Peter Fagan Calleen Trust standing in front of the winning artwork. Photo Amanda Bloomfield.