Portraits stand out

ARt lovers turned out for the announcement of the winners of the Great Southern Portrait Prize at Stockyard Gallery on April 26.
Kerry Spokes, vice president of Prom Coast Arts Council (PCA) was the MC. In speaking of the judges, Kerry made note PCA always seeks three professional artists or arts related professionals from outside the region to be judges to ensure impartiality.
Unfortunately Dr Suzanne Spunner had to bow out as a judge a day before the judging due to her mother becoming seriously ill. She has asked however to be a judge next year.
The two remaining judges were Shane Jones and Peter Wegner, both artists.
To celebrate the 10th annual Great Southern Portrait Prize, Prom Coast Arts Council asked the Honourable Barry Jones to announce the winners, which he did in fine style. Before doing so, he spoke about his love of art and the necessity for local government and the community to support events such as the portrait prize.
Mr Jones then talked about the nature of portraiture and how he and Mr Wegner selected the winners.
The winners included: open, first, Kim McDonald, Autoportrait II; second, Anne Miller, Barry Richards; highly commended, Karen Barnes, Pastoral, and Deborah Harris, Murray McDonald.
Packers’ Prize, Megan Williams, Tyler, the Epitome of Perfection.
Junior, first, Matt McGannon, Self Portrait; highly commended, Cody, Fraser, and Ashley, Self Portrait.
Packers’ Prize, Ava, Me and my Horse.
Stockyard Gallery Student Award Primary, Jorgia, Untitled.
Stockyard Gallery Student Award Secondary, Hannah Fletcher, Self Portrait.
A bouquet of native flowers donated by Paul O’Neill of Fish Creek and a bottle of wine donated by Waratah Hill Vineyard were presented to Shane Jones and Barry Jones.
A bottle of wine and a bouquet were also presented to PCA treasurer Anda Banikos for her efforts in presenting the prize, the retrospective exhibition and the Double Take decorated shop windows project.
The retrospective exhibition and the Double Take were successful. Bec Mathews, community development coordinator at Foster Community House, said there a steady stream of people visited the retrospective exhibition.
The Double Take windows certainly generated a lot of comment with the sculptural work of Andy McPherson, of Ride the Wild Goat Gallery in Fish Creek, in Prom Meats’ window generating the most comment.
The Great Southern Portrait Prize is open until Monday, May 11, so there is still time to see the winner’s works and cast your popular choice vote.
The Popular Choice prize is $500 for the open section and $100 for the junior section. Only one in each section is allowed. Ask at the desk for a voting form. A popular choice voter in each section wins a voucher to be used at 9 Acres Café in Fish Creek.

Overall winner: Great Southern Portrait Prize open winner Kim McDonald (centre) with the Honourable Barry Jones (left) and judge Shane Jones. Photo: Yianni Banikos.

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Posted by brad on May 5 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