Quality field contests inaugural art prize

QUEENSCLIFF Art Prize has declared the winners of its inaugural event, with judges applauding the strength of more than 100 entries to the waterside public show.

Organisers said they’re hopeful the outdoor gallery can become a yearly fixture of the Bellarine summer as the Pier show enters its final month.

Judges voted Warrnambool artist Caroline Healey’s painting Swimming as this year’s top entry, winning the first Queenscliff Art Prize.

Mrs Healey’s painting was inspired by Laura McPhee-Browne novel Cherry Beach and depicts two female protagonists with a complicated, symbiotic relationship.

“I knew it was a strong painting but looking at the other entries, they were very, very strong and were really quite different from each other. There wasn’t really a common theme, except excellence perhaps,” she said.

“It was an amazing thing to be part of and I was honoured to be asked to be part of it in the first place.”

The multi award-winning painter also praised the gallery format, which she said created an accessible environment that allowed amateur artists to exhibit side-by-side with seasoned professionals.

“I would definitely enter next year. I think it’s a fantastic thing for the local community at Queesncliff and visitors that get to enjoy the wonderful artwork, and for the artists, it’s such great exposure,” she said.

“I’m super grateful and I’d love to see it continue for many years.”

Other winners from the art prize included Jessi Rebel for the Indigenous Art Prize, Ferne Millen for portraits, Pip Williams for best print and Lauren Starr for digital work. Norm Stanley earlier won the people’s choice award for the Indigenous category.

A panel of nine judges from Victoria, New South Wales and New York assessed entries for their impact, composition, creativity, appeal and technique to decide winners.

The Art Prize attracted 130 entries for art and photography categories, which were hung for public display at Queenscliff Pier for locals and visitors to the town to enjoy for six months.

Art Prize organiser Chris MacLeod hailed the event as a success, and said he was “optimistic” he could secure permits to stage the event again in coming years and make it an annual Queenscliff fixture.

“I have been on the pier myself quite often and have spoken to people, some who had travelled to see it and some who stumbled across it. They’ve all thought it was a wonderful location and exhibition,” he said.