First prize, which is presented to the most outstanding artwork, was awarded to Elmari Steyn of Northcliffe, WA for her outstanding work Fragmented Arboretum I - a multi-plate etching, aquatint, and Chine-colle print, hand-coloured with 23k gold leaf. This year’s First Prize was increased to $10,000 and for the first time is non-acquisitive.
The judging panel featured Stuart Elliott, a highly regarded senior WA artist; and Dr Laetitia Wilson, Exhibitions Manager and Curator of the Holmes à Court Gallery and Collection in Perth.
The judges considered the winning artwork, “a piece of technical mastery, demonstrating a superlative talent in printmaking.”
“The artist’s multi layered narrative of the trees and the passage of time is compelling,” they added. Steyn has exhibited widely nationally and internationally and was thrilled with her win.
The new Small Sculpture Award was awarded to Bjoern Rainer-Adamson of Fremantle for his work We are still here? The judges noted, “this is a mesmerising kinetic artwork; it draws the viewer in with its animated movement which is triggered by a human presence.”
The Aboriginal Art Award was presented to Taylor Gollan of Mandurah, who is currently completing her Bachelor of Creative Arts in Fine Art at Curtin University. Her etching Discounted Deli was described by the judges as “an innovative urban Aboriginal artwork that taps into current socio economic reality.”
DoodlesinTransit, an up and coming artist based in Rockingham, was presented with the Emerging Artist Award for his painting The new machine. “This is a dynamic graphic work illustrating the paradox of how technology enslaves us, yet simultaneously it is a detailed handmade work”, the judges noted.
The popular Local Resident Award was taken out by Michael Doherty of Rockingham for his panoramic landscape painting Lake Walyungup, Rockingham. The lake is a well-known local site with a complex past, Doherty depicts it on a “heroic scale with technical brilliance and a highly skilled handling of paint and colour.”
With the inclusion of five awards, the Prize provides an expanded opportunity for the City to support the Western Australian arts community. The final award for this year’s Art Prize, the $500 People’s Choice Award, is open for public voting throughout the course of the exhibition and will be announced on Monday 29 May. By voting for their favourite artwork, exhibition visitors will also go in the running to win the $200 Voter’s Prize.
City of Rockingham Mayor Deb Hamblin congratulated the winning artists on the outstanding efforts.
“On behalf of the City I would like to congratulate the winners and all of the participating artists who took the time to make a submission in the 2023 City of Rockingham Art Prize,” Mayor Hamblin said.
“The level of interest and the record breaking number of entries the City received for the competition demonstrate the calibre of artistic talent in our City, and also across WA.
The City gratefully acknowledges Art Prize Curator Sandra Murray and the judging panel for sharing their expertise. We look forward to community members exploring the exhibition at the Rockingham Arts Centre throughout May.
“These awards and the entire exhibition validate our artists and give them the professional acclaim of being showcased in a highly coveted award,” Curator Sandra Murray said.
The exhibition is open for public viewing from Saturday 6 – Sunday 21 May, 10am to 4pm Wednesday to Sunday with free admission and parking, at the Rockingham Arts Centre, 11 Kent Street, Rockingham.
For more information visit Art Prize. A virtual tour of the exhbition is also available.
2023 City of Rockingham Art Prize Finalists include: Charmaine Ball, Belinda Birchall, Sam Bloor, Deborah Bonar, Jayda Brown, Sherriden Brown, Louise Buma, Christophe Canato, Olga Cironis, Nic Compton, Megan Councillor, Andrew Daly, Jo Darbyshire, Tom de Munk-Kerkmeer, Jozina de Ruiter, Gina Denford, Michael Doherty, Sheree Dohnt, Pamela Eddy, Linda Fardoe, DoodlesinTransit aka Jamie Flunder, Lyn Franke, Carolina Furque, Taylor Gollan, Narelle Higson, Barbara Hill, Ashlee Hogermeer, Eric Hynynen, Warren Iannello, Beverley Iles, Olivia Jones, Chantelle Lacroix, Dannah Lasanas, Lesley Marshall, Anne McCaughey, Matthew McVeigh, Gordon Mitchell, Suzy Moore, Moritz Mueller, Kate Alida Mullen, Janice O'Meara, Holly O'Meehan, Irene Osborne, Sid Pattni, Jaelle Pedroli, Denise Pepper, Alfred Pollock, Clinton Price, Bjoern Rainer-Adamson, Trevor Richards, Valerie Schönjahn, Alex Spremberg, Elmari Steyn, Everlyn Sturges, Nell Symonds, Shin-I (Juliet) Tang, Wade Taylor, John Teschendorff, Mark Thompson, Tyler Thomson, Iwona Van Niekerk, James Walker, Sylvia Wilson, Kay Wood, Anthony Wright, Gisela A. Züchner-Mogall and Ivo Zuvela.
Main image: The winning artists (from left to right) in the 2023 City of Rockingham Art Prize included Bjoern Rainer-Adamson, Michael Doherty, Taylor Gollan, Elmari Steyn and DoodlesinTransit.
Image two: Elmari Steyn secured first prize for Fragmented Arboretum I.
Image three: We are still here? by Bjoern Rainer-Adamson won the Small Sculpture Award.
Image four: Taylor Gollan won the Aboriginal Art Award for Discounted Deli.
Image five: DoodlesinTransit took home the Emerging Artist Award for The new machine.
Image six: Michael Doherty's painting Lake Walyungup, Rockingham won the Local Resident Award. Pictures: City of Rockingham.