Redland Art Award 2018 winners announced and exhibition open

Winners of the prestigious Redland Art Awards 2018 have been revealed at a Redland Art Gallery cocktail evening, with the esteemed judges selecting from a record number of high caliber entries.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams, who together with Redland City Council CEO Andrew Chesterman announced the winners, 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 Charles Robb, Visual Art Lecturer at Queensland University of Technology; Dr Bianca Beetson, artist and Senior Lecturer/Program Convenor, Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art at Griffith University 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, then on 30 August head judge Charles Robb selected first, second and third place 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 4 October 2018.

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.

“The free Redland Art Award 2018 exhibition will be open to the public until Sunday 14 October but be sure to visit by Wednesday 3 October if you wish to vote,” she said.

“I would like to thank this year’s major sponsors for their generous and much needed support, including Redland City Bulletin, Stark Creations, Redland Yurara Art Society and art gallery owner Redland City Council.”