Redland Art Awards recognise outstanding creative talent

Being surrounded by more than 20,000 curios collected by still life artist Margaret Olley throughout her colourful life, was the immersive design inspiration for the winning artist of the 2024 Redland Art Awards.

Mirra Whale’s work, Seafood Still Life for Margaret, has won first prize in the prestigious awards announced at a gala event last week at Redland Art Gallery (RAG) in Cleveland.

Redland City Mayor Jos Mitchell said Mirra’s oil painting, which has been acquired for the Redland Art Gallery Collection, was evocative of Olley’s work and celebrated the still life genre.

“It is a truly deserving winner among what was a remarkably broad range of entries received this year,” she said.

“The biennial Redland Art Awards are a unique platform that celebrate the diversity and depth of contemporary painting in Australia.

“Mirra’s work of art is a wonderfully nostalgic study with a playful contemporary twist.”

The awards received more than 400 entries from across Australia, from which 55 finalists were selected.

Mirra said she was absolutely thrilled with the win and proud that her artwork would sit in the Redland Art Gallery Collection.

Artist Mirra Whale in her New South Wales studio. Mirra’s work, Seafood Still Life for Margaret, won first prize in the Redland Art Awards for 2024.

“I’m still pinching myself!” she said.

“Seafoodar Still Life for Margaret was part of a body of work inspired and created during an artist’s residency in 2023 at the Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre (MOAC) where I was surrounded by Margaret Olley’s loved, prized, everyday possessions.

“To pay tribute to Olley in my style and to have it acknowledged is an enormous honour.”

MOAC’s centrepiece is a recreation of parts of Olley’s original home studio in Paddington, Sydney, which includes some original architectural elements such as windows and doors, and more than 20,000 personal items Olley collected as subject matter for her paintings.

Redland Art Awards 2024 judging panel lead Steven Alderton described Mirra’s winning artwork as “an incredible piece, layered in the history of still life in Australia in referring to Margaret Olley, with Mirra’s own quintessential contemporary style”.

Finalist judge Steven Alderton with Redland Art Awards 2024 winning artwork, first prize, Mirra Whale, Seafood Still Life for Margaret, 2023, Oil. Photo: courtesy of Redland Art Gallery.

He said he had been impressed by the quality of work and diversity of practice on show in all the entries, noting the many exceptional works and congratulating each of the artists.

Mr Alderton is a curator and art consultant, and is a former RAG Director, having overseen the establishment of the Redland City Council-operated gallery in Cleveland 21 years ago.

Judges for the 2024 awards also included the finalists selection panellists, Avril Quaill, Director of Quandamooka Arts and Cultural Centre (QUAMPI) / Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation (QYAC) and well-respected Brisbane Gallerist, Jan Manton, Jan Manton Art.

RAG Galleries Manager Kerryanne Farrer said the awards gala opening attracted a vibrant and enthusiastic crowd of 200 attendees and reflected the strong support the Redlands Coast community has for the arts.

“There was an energetic and celebratory atmosphere to the evening,” she said.

“Artist Kellie O’Dempsey, who was also a finalist in the awards, was invited to paint the gallery with light, providing a live digital painting performance, Painted Line, on the building exterior, which added a festive element.”

A recording of this work will be displayed through the gallery window at night until 23 December.

The full list of 2024 Redland Arts Awards winners are:

First prize ($20,000): Mirra Whale, Seafood Still Life for Margaret, 2023, Oil, NSWSecond prize ($6000): Joanne Currie Nalingu, I dropped a stone in our river, 2024, Acrylic, QldThird prize ($3000): Pat Hoffie, Balancing Rocks, 2023–24, Oil, QldRAMP Member’s choice award ($500): Penelope Oates, Mist Settling, 2024, Mixed Media: Acrylic, ink and heated soldering iron, NSW At the opening gala event for the Redland Art Awards 2024 are (from left to right): judging panel lead Steven Alderton, Redland City Mayor Jos Mitchell, Sharon Mitchell from Mitchell Fine Art representing first prize winner Mirra Whale, second prize winner Joanne Currie Nalingu, Michael Eather from Fireworks Gallery representing third prize winner Pat Hoffie,, and RAG Galleries Manager Kerryanne Farrer. Photo: Louis Lim

Highly Commended mentions to: Ashlee Becks, Junk, 2024, Oil, Qld; Kathryn Blumke, Wellington Point Quilt 6, 2024, Watercolour, Qld; Julie Cane, 1920s A Cup of Tea and a Chat, 2024, Oil, Qld; Karla Marchesi, Plato’s Cave, 2023, Oil, Qld; Rosella Namok, Young gals yarnin’ into the night II, 2024, Acrylic, Qld; Ann Thomson, Land Sea Series, 2023, Acrylic, NSW.

Mirra said the prize money would be a gamechanger for her professional practice.

“A year ago we relocated to live on a part of the Hawkesbury River only accessible by boat,” she said.

“I have been working from home alongside my toddler, so this prize money will enable me to set up a studio in Brooklyn (NSW).”

Seafood Still Life for Margaret, 2023, oil, by Mirra Whale.

The 2024 Redland Art Awards winners and all finalists will have their work exhibited at RAG Cleveland until Tuesday 28 January 2025.

Voting for the Meredith Foxton People’s Choice Award ($1000) is open to the public throughout the exhibition.

The winner will be announced on 28 January by committee members of the Redland Yurara Art Society who have generously sponsored this award.

For more information, visit REDLAND ART AWARDS | Redland Art Gallery