Winners of the Redland Art Awards were announced with a showing of all finalists work at the Redland Art Gallery, Cleveland on August 31. Winners were Debbie Taylor Worley, Chee Yong of Tasmania and Martin Claydon. The exhibition remains until October 14.
Mayor Karen Williams, who announced the winners with Council CEO Andrew Chesterman, said the 499 entries received from across Australia were evidence of the status enjoyed by the biennial contemporary painting competition.
“What started as a local art prize offered by the Redland Yurara Art Society in 1981 has evolved into a nationally recognised competition offered by Redland Art Gallery, with artists attracted by the substantial cash prizes and prospect of having their work included in a public art collection,” she said.
The judging panel consisted of Visual Art Lecturer at Queensland University of Technology Charles Robb, artist and Senior Lecturer/Program Convenor, Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art at Griffith University Dr Bianca Beetson and Redland Art Gallery director Emma Bain.
The judges – who agreed the overall standard was high – met in July for preliminary judging and to select 47 works for inclusion in the exhibition, before head judge Charles Robb selected first, second and third places with input from supporting judges Bianca Beetson and Emma Bain.
The acquisitive first prize ($15,000) was awarded to Brisbane-based Debbie Taylor Worley for her mixed-medium on canvas artwork entitled Beyond Gavrinis 2018.
Second prize ($4000) was awarded to Tasmanian Chee Yong, for the oil and enamel on wood artwork entitled Self portrait as a ghost.
Third prize ($2,500) went to Martin Claydon from New South Wales for his enamel on aluminium artwork entitled Greenscreen #16 breadfruit Bligh 2018.
The recipient of the remaining Meredith Foxton People’s Choice Award ($500) will be selected by popular vote, with the winner to be announced on October 4
Cr Williams urged Redlands Coast locals and art enthusiasts from further afield to visit Redland Art Gallery, Cleveland to view the 47 finalists and cast their vote.
“I would like to thank this year’s major sponsors including Redland City Bulletin, Stark Creations, Redland Yurara Art Society and art gallery owner Redland City Council for their generous and much needed support.”