Jamie Eastwood wins the 2019 Blacktown City Art Prize

Published on 02 December 2019

Blacktown resident, Jamie Eastwood, has taken out the top award at the 2019 Blacktown City Art Prize.

The mixed media artwork made from acrylic paint, collage and paper ochre, ‘Blacktown Native Institution 1823-2018 Then and Now’, was a significant artwork about Blacktown’s history.

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said the collection of artworks was not to be missed.

“Now in its 24th year, the Blacktown City Art Prize is a major cultural event in Western Sydney,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

“There were 530 entries from artists all around Australia and they were all very impressive.

“Congratulations to Jamie Eastwood for winning the 2019 Blacktown City Art Prize for his significant interpretive artwork about Blacktown’s History.” 

The judging panel of Cath Barcan, Emily McDaniel and Michelle Paterson, faced the difficult task of selecting the final artworks for exhibition.

“The 112 artworks selected for exhibition displayed a focus on tactility and many aimed to start conversations about important issues, giving the exhibition an educational sense this year,” said the judges.

The three judges commented that Jamie Eastwood’s artwork deals with a timeless subject matter that has wit and humour, whilst also providing a strong relevance to community and place.

Highly Commended for the Blacktown City Art Prize were Tasmanian-based, Nicole O'Loughlin, for her mixed-media artwork, ‘View of Kunanyi / Mount Wellington from South Hobart Tip’, and Hiromi ‘Tango for Full Moon - Sakura's Will’, another mixed-media artwork that includes light.

Annie Shin of Blacktown was awarded the Local Artist Prize for her ceramic assemblage, ‘Inhabitants Emerge.’

“Annie’s work demonstrates an effective balance of elements that shows great consideration of placement”, said the judges.

Highly Commended was Fozia Zahid for her painting, ‘The show must go on...’, and Julie Sol Lee for ‘Pillow Talk’.

The Aboriginal Artist Prize was won by The Bankstown Koori Elders Group for ‘Ghost Gum Dreaming’, a collaborative ceramic sculpture.

Highly Commended was Carmel Mackie for’ White Cockatoo’.

The Blacktown City Art Prize is proudly supported by Ford Land Company, WestLink M7, Blacktown Workers’ Club and Blacktown City Council’s Environmental Services.

Admission to the 2019 Blacktown City Art Prize is free. The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre is open 10 am – 5 pm Tuesday to Saturday (closed public holidays), and the exhibition is on until 25 January 2020.

About Blacktown Arts

Blacktown Arts is a recognised leader in the development of contemporary arts in Australia. We support artistic innovation and offer exciting, new experiences for audiences through an award-winning curated program of exhibitions, performances, workshops, residencies and events. We are committed to making dynamic, culturally diverse work that reflects Blacktown, its history and its communities. We place Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and communities at the heart of our program to develop new work drawing on issues of local and global significance.

 Picture: Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM with Jamie Eastwood and his winning artwork.