Central Belonging People's Choice Winner Announced

Published on 07 June 2025

Jillian Reidy awarded People’s Choice award for portrait of her father

The People have voted Weddin Shire artist Jillian Reidy the winner of the ‘Central Belonging’ People’s Choice Award. Voted by visitors to the exhibition from 9 May to 1 June from a field of 51 finalists, the People’s Choice Award is $500 and is supported by the Cowra Regional Art Gallery Advisory Committee. Reidy’s poignant portrait of the artist’s late father resonated with visitors and voters alike.

“My father passed unexpectedly in 2024. This portrait became my way of processing this loss.

 I drew him reaching across the table, his hands destroyed by arthritis, imparting words of wisdom,

 no doubt beginning with the words “I don’t know if I’ve told you this, but…” always best said with a

glass of scotch whiskey in front of him. I wanted his portrait to catch the intensity

 of these moments, the importance of his words. The portrait is partially incomplete, focussing on

 the presence of my father, and the loss of my father. My conversation with Dad continues every

time I look at this work.”  - Jillian Reidy

Central Belonging Art Award is an art prize exhibition that represents the rich diversity of the artistic communities around and within the Central West region. It showcases professional and emerging artists that are local to Cowra Shire and the surrounding areas. Artists from the following local government areas were part of the finalist exhibition: Bathurst, Blayney, Cabonne, Cowra, Forbes, Hilltops, Lithgow, Orange, Parkes and Weddin.

The exhibition presented an opportunity to explore the passions, imagination and inspiration of Central West creatives through a range of disciplines and media, including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, ceramics, textiles and printmaking.

Congratulations Jillian!

Gallery Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 10am – 4pm and Sunday 10am – 2pm. Admission free.

_{Image credit: Jillian Reidy, A conversation with my father 2024, pastel pencil on paper, 95 x 80 cm}

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For more information contact Cassandra Hard Lawrie, Art Gallery Director, Cowra Regional Art Gallery on 0428 779 408 or email cassandra.hard.lawrie@cowra.nsw.gov.au

Cowra Regional Art Gallery | 77 Darling Street, Cowra NSW 2794