Artist wins over Melbourne

KORUMBURRA’s Bruce Plant has won third prize at the 13th annual State Trustees Connected Art Exhibition.
His oil painting entitled Love the Cannibal reflects his idea that to love someone or something can be an all-consuming activity.
The exhibition in Melbourne’s central business district features more than 80 artworks shortlisted from nearly 500 submissions from new and emerging artists with a disability or experience of mental illness.
“It was a real thrill to get that prize and a really good exhibition to be a part of,” Mr Plant said.
“I’ve been in nine solo exhibitions and 40 to 45 group exhibitions, and this is the first time I’ve ever won a prize in an exhibition since 1989.”
Love the Cannibal depicts a large head eating a smaller head, suggestive of the cannibal theme, and was created in the semi-abstract style of the famed artist Picasso.
“I’ve always been interested in abstract. It’s another word for absurd and the word absurd relates to philosophy, and I’ve liked poetry and ideas that cannot be expressed in words,” Mr Plant said.
“I’ve always held the idea you can be an abstract artist as long as you can persevere with your work as it will show benefits in the end and that is happening to me now.”
The exhibition features paintings, drawings, sculptures, photography and multimedia across a variety of styles and subjects, all demonstrating the powerful way art can project the voices of people who are often not heard in mainstream society.
Running from October 13-23, the exhibition is being held at the No Vacancy Gallery, Federation Square, Melbourne. Admission is free and most artworks are for sale.
The landmark event promoting social inclusion through art is curated by the gallery’s Andrew Chew.
The exhibition provides up and coming Victorian artists who have a disability or experience of mental illness the opportunity to showcase their work at a high profile space.

Stand out piece: Korumburra artist Bruce Plant and his oil painting Love the Cannibal, which won third prize at the 2015 State Trustees Connected Art Exhibition.

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Posted by Sarah Vella on Oct 20 2015. Filed under Arts & Entertainment. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry