2009 Blacktown City Art Exhibition
MEDIA RELEASE
Thursday, September 17, 2009
2009 Blacktown City Art Exhibition
"From little things, big things grow"
From modest beginnings in Bowman Hall fourteen years ago, where paintings were hung on hessian backdrops and girl guides served refreshments, the Blacktown City Art Exhibition has grown in scope, stature and prestige. Today the exhibition attracts the best artists from Western Sydney and across New South Wales and is housed in what has become renowned as one of the finest art spaces in Australia, the Blacktown Arts Centre.
"From little things, big things grow", says Mayor of Blacktown, Councillor Charlie Lowles. "Since the inception of this exhibition fourteen years ago, Blacktown has changed into a place that is more diverse, a place firmly committed to the arts as a source of inspiration and pride and a place that values cultural freedom and expression. Blacktown has grown from its modest roots - under Council's leadership it will continue to grow and become a place of inspiration for its residents and visitors."
The exhibition runs from 19 September - 17 October 2009 at Blacktown Arts Centre, 78 Flushcombe Rd, Blacktown. Free entry. Open Tuesday to Sunday 10am - 5pm.
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2009 BLACKTOWN CITY ART EXHIBITION EXHIBITION DATES: 19 September - 17 October 2009. LOCATION: Blacktown Arts Centre, 78 Flushcombe Rd, Blacktown. OPEN: Tuesday - Sunday, 10am - 5pm. Admission free. |
ABOUT THE BLACKTOWN CITY ART EXHIBITION
The Blacktown City Art Exhibition began in 1996 and is Blacktown City's largest annual art prize. The inaugural exhibition was established by Blacktown City Council's Arts Reference Group committee and was held at Bowman Hall in Blacktown. Now held at Blacktown Arts Centre, the Arts Reference Group continues to assist in the presentation of the art prize, with many original members still active.
ABOUT THE GUEST SPEAKER
Special guest speaker Kon Gouriotis will open the exhibition, 6pm Friday 18 September. Kon is the Director of Visual Arts at the Australia Council for the Arts. He was previously the Executive Director of Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre and Director of Street Level Gallery, an artists' run initiative in Blacktown.
JUDGES & PRIZES
· The art prize was judged by three independent judges including:
John Kirkman, Cheif Executive Officer, Penrith Performing and Visual Arts
Keith Munro, Curator Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Programs, Museum of Contemporary Art
Joe Penn, Fellow of the Royal Art Society of NSW, artist and teacher.
- Prizes include First Prizes in each official section plus the Indigenous Artist Prize, Local Artist Prize, Environmental Art Prize, Youth Art Prize and People's Choice Prize. Council's Arts Reference Group committee also award a prize.
- The winning works are:
Painting, First Prize: James Birch and Damian Dillon for 'Bobby Boy Boulevard'
Watercolour, First Prize: Jacob Del Castillo for 'Doonside Sunset'
Works on Paper, First Prize: Lynne Mak for 'Mt Morgan'
Sculpture, First Prize: Antony Mravicic for 'Cassette'
Environmental Art Prize, Winner: Lorraine Maggs for 'Whales Up Close'
Indigenous Artist Prize, Winner: Keith Brown for 'Dry Mud and Bones'
Youth Art Prize, Winner: Lauren Gock for 'A Public Space Pattern'
Local Artist Prize, Winner: Huseyin Conker for 'Gold Fish'
Arts Reference Group, Prize Winner: Blaze Krstanoski-Blazeski for 'Lose Yourself'
CHILDREN & YOUNG ARTISTS EXHIBITION
· The art prize also features an environmentally themed Children and Young Artists section, showcasing the artistic talent of 5 - 15 yr olds from the Blacktown region.
The 2009 theme of "Consuming" has inpsired Blacktown's young artists to think about how we consume resources in the way we live, work and play. The exhibition features colourful artworks exploring recycling, transport and water usage issues.
OTHER INFO
- Over 220 works have been selected for this year's exhibition.
- There are 4 main categories in the art prize - Painting, Watercolour, Works on Paper and Sculpture.
- The top 5 regions for entries are Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Penrith, Parramatta and Fairfield (in order from the most).
- Many talented artists have been discovered through the Blacktown City Art Exhibition. These artists from Blacktown City and Western Sydney have also gone on to other successes:
Ø Prospect artist Marius Jastkowiak won the Painting Prize in 2006. He then went on to win the $20,000 Fishers Ghost Prize in 2007.
Ø Kings Langley based artist Johan P. Neve won the Painting Prize in 2007. He then went on to win the North Sydney Art Prize Youth Award in 2008.Ø Glenbrook artist Catherine O'Donnell won the Works on Paper Prize in 2008. She then went on to win the $20,000 Albury Art Prize in 2009.
- The Blacktown City Art Exhibition is presented by Blacktown Arts Centre in association with Blacktown City Council and is proudly sponsored by Fordland Company, Blacktown Worker's Club, Blacktown Advocate and Westlink M7.
- Long-standing sponsor Fordland Company purchase artworks from the art prize for their corporate art collection. Over the years, they have collected many outstanding artworks including a sculpture by Rooty Hill based artist Vincent O'Connor.
- Sponsor Westlink M7 also purchase works for their art collection. Most recently they purchased three works by Fairfield based artist Ali Abbas Hamadi. These works are currently on exhibit in the foyer of Blacktown Hospital.
- ENDS -
For artist interviews, enquiries and images contact Blacktown City Council on (02) 9839 6000.