Invited judge Belinda Hungerford from NERAM congratulated the Art Gallery for their professional curation of the pieces and display. “Portraiture does not have to be a technically perfect likeness of a person,” said Belinda. The judge’s decision on this year’s winners was based on what she instinctively responded to “it has to tell me something about that person or at least make me wonder about who they are.”
There were forty-four entries this year, on all mediums from painting, charcoal, drawing, paper cutting and photography. “The caliber of work was exceptional and we were so pleased with the response from entrants during these tricky times” said art gallery president Jackie Hunter. “Our gallery space is quite intimate so we were happy we could mark the opening of the exhibition and announce the winners in a celebratory way. The Volunteers have done an amazing job to transport the finalists work as well as put on a PowerPoint display of all the other entries here at the Glen Innes District Services Club, so we could admire and understand the decisions from our judge”
This year’s winner was Marg Correy and her portrait of her granddaughter Zara. Reminiscent of old masters, Marg suggested that the portrait she captured was “a face that her granddaughter would grow into”. Second place went to Stephen Wright and his painting of ‘Jim’ while third went to one of the younger entrants, thirteen-year-old Rose Montgomery and her ‘Nolanesque’ ‘Bowler Girl’.
Besides the three winners there were four highly commended. Lachlan Martin’s Charcoal on toned paperwork ‘After Rembrandt’, Leanne Bolin’s untitled ink pens on watercolour paper, Karen Munster’s quirky portrait of husband Glenn aka ‘Harry High-Pants’ and Korrena Hill’s joyous and moving mixed media - paper (paper cutting) exhibit titled ‘Homeless.
Art gallery President Jackie Hunter also reminded everyone that “You may see these works on screens and social media but nothing compares with seeing these in person.” The full exhibition is back at the Glen Innes Art Gallery, 71 Grey Street, Glen Innes and is open weekdays 10am to 4pm and Saturdays 10am to 1pm until 13 August.
