Close Encounters – Burra Regional Art Gallery Portrait Competition

Judges comments – Ali Eckermann and Kate Jenkins

Traditional – First Place

James Dunstan – Mannequin

beautifully and skilfully produced this piece has a haunting, the exteriority almost landscape, earthen and alive, the subject’s gaze an enticing lament

Jim work sits in that traditional painterly technique however quite contemporary in subject and style

Contemporary – First Place

Susan Lewis – After Lockdown

an interesting perspective of a hovering time, waiting for normalcy to infuse.

This naïve approach with simple use of primary colours and form makes the viewer want to find out more about this artist’s Close Encounter the comfort of a cup and teapot and effects of weather on our moods and the everyday

Highly Commended

Margaret Walsh – Nigelle-Anne

a great capture of expression, thoughtful use of props, challenging my curiosity to know more

her understanding of her medium gave a very contemporary almost realist painterly feel to the work

Plaxy Folland – FaceTime

a grandmother chats to her granddaughter, capturing the modern screenshot scenario of communication, capturing the unchanging dialogue of love, while of capturing two portraits in one

COMMENDED

Wendy Kelly – portrait of Jesse

many people do not see the everyday face of farm life, this portrait of her nephew a skilled depiction of the local story, promoting the everyday as art

Janet Whitham – My Granddaughter As A Cowgirl

a loving response, adventurous, fun, playful, captivating

Remy Catchlove – Conversation With Artists

a functional piece dedicated to selected artists, recreated with care and fine detail to their legacy

Remy’s uses her own interpretations of each of her heroes in a work that illustrates her knowledge of these artists that inspires her own practice

Kerry Youde – Alysia and Alia

a beautiful capture, an elegant image illustrates clarity and her unique understanding of composition and her medium

PEOPLE’S CHOICE

Wendy Kelly – portrait of Jesse

Adrienne Matthews Dynasty Triptych Acrylic NFS

Wendy Kelly – portrait of Jesse

Adele Butler Waiting for ‘Life’ to Begin Oil on canvas and Adrienne Matthews Me By Myself Watercolour

Plaxy Folland James Dunstan and Kate Catchlove

School Prizes, Judged by Chris Rowe : Awarded by Rosie Catt and Chris Rowe

Jake Novick opening speech for Shadow Lines – accompanying Bence Room exhibition