Winners announced for Redland Art Awards 2022

An oil painting by Queensland artist Barry Fitzpatrick has won first prize in the Redland Art Awards 2022, which were announced at Redland Art Gallery, Cleveland on Friday night (14 October 2022).

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said this year’s awards had attracted a very high standard of entries, which made judging the biennial awards incredibly tough.

“Congratulations to Barry Fitzpatrick for his stunning painting Estuary 2021, which was awarded first place and will now become part of Redland Art Gallery’s permanent collection,” she said.

“Congratulations also to Queensland artists Yannick Blattner, who won second prize for Distribute the Leisure Evenly 2022, and Karla Marchesi, who was awarded third prize for her work The Crane Wife 2022.

“There were also two highly commended paintings – Self portrait in the spaces in between 2022 by Chase Archer and Shuffle 2022 by Tammy Whitworth.”

Cr Williams said 479 entries were received from across Australia this year, with judges shortlisting to 48 works before selecting the winners, who share more than $22,000 in prize money.

“An exhibition of the finalists will be on show at Redland Art Gallery, Cleveland from 16 October until 4 December,” she said.

“I encourage everyone to come along to view this diverse and thought-provoking body of work and cast their vote for the $500 Meredith Foxton People’s Choice Award, proudly sponsored by Redland Yurara Art Society.”

Deputy Mayor Julie Talty, who officially opened the exhibition, said the biennial awards were a great example of the Redland Art Gallery’s valuable offerings.

“The number of entries from artists across Australia is evidence of the high regard this contemporary painting competition enjoys within the arts community,” Cr Talty said.

“It started as a local art prize by the Redland Yurara Art Society in 1981 and still retains significant local participation.

“Seven local artists are among the finalists this year, testament to the thriving arts community we have here on Redlands Coast.”

An image gallery of the finalist artworks is available to view on the Redland Art Gallery website to coincide with the exhibition.

The gallery will host a panel talk with the judges on Sunday 30 October; bookings can be made through the gallery’s website.

Redland Art Awards 2022 were judged by Dr Fiona Foley (Badtjala artist and Senior Lecturer, Queensland College of Art Griffith University). Dr Holly Arden (Interim Director, UQ Art Museum), Hamish Sawyer (Independent curator and writer) and Emma Bain (Director, Redland Art Gallery) joined Dr Fiona Foley in the initial exhibition short listing.

Presented by Redland Art Gallery, the Redland Art Awards are an initiative of Redland City Council in conjunction with event sponsors Redland Yurara Art Society and Start Creations.