Art of Sydney Awards Exhibition

The annual Art of Sydney Awards Exhibition is a premier event showcasing the work of artists from the fourteen member societies which together are the Combined Art Societies of Sydney (CASS).

Due to  Covid-19 restrictions, our 31st Art of Sydney event in 2021 was held ONLINE.  Although this was quite different from our usual event, we were very pleased and honoured to have the exhibits judged by renowned artist, Mr John Haycraft. 

These events have now returned to normal and held at our regular venues in Sydney. 

Details on our next Art of Sydney Awards Exhibition will be available very soon.

 

32nd Art of Sydney Awards Exhibition 2023

Our 32nd Art Of Sydney Awards Exhibition was another very successful event enjoyed by many. 

This popular event held each year invites artists from our Member Societies under CASS to participate and be eligible to win awards under several categories. 

Last year held at the Prince Henry Centre in Little Bay, our display of artworks were judged by multi award winning Sydney artist, Dario Falzon.

Our Guest of Honour, Mr Dennis Wilson presented each award to all our winning artists under 6 categories. 

The first award for ‘Best in Show’ went to David El-Melky.  

And here are all our winners at the Awards Presentation event held on the 25th March, 2023.

32nd ART OF SYDNEY EXHIBITION AWARD WINNERS

31st Art of Sydney Awards Exhibition 2021 / 2022

Our members who participated in the online event took advantage of the format flexibility letting their creativity expand and flourish while maintaining the highest quality that our patrons have come to expect from the Art of Sydney Awards Exhibition.

Here you can view our winners and the awards presented under each category, along with the comments made by our judge. 

31st ART OF SYDNEY EXHIBITION AWARD WINNERS

Awards Judge: John Haycraft

Overall Comments

The standard of work presented for judging in the Art of Sydney Exhibition 2021 was outstanding. Particularly in the crowded Section 1 where there were more candidates worthy of prizes than there were prizes to give.

Inevitably, in such cases, when the quality has bubbled to the surface, the judge is faced with choices so numerous that to single a few out seems unfair to those works that stand equally alongside each other in manner, matter and execution.  At last resort then, when the judge has applied all the criteria that one brings to judgement and the field is still not separated, the hapless individual digs into their emotions and responds accordingly.

Best Exhibit In Show

The Art Scene Award

Prize: $1,000 Gift Voucher

Winner

Moody Morning Capertee Valley

Artist: John Wilson
Judges Comments

The Best in Show has been chosen from many fine works as one that, of course, displays accomplished skill in handling the medium as one would expect, yet has a quality that makes it especially appealing. And that quality is the use of linear perspective that carries the viewer off into the distance coupled with colour perspective that uses hue saturation in such a beguiling manner. The hero of the scene is probably the craggy mountain etched against the sky, but as one becomes absorbed in the picture the delicate wisp of smoke from the house asks the viewer to rethink their involvement in the scene. All figurative painting carries a narrative. With this piece the artist uses multiple messages, sub-plots if you like, that revolve around each other and involves the viewer in an experience than goes beyond the first glance and rewards contemplation. 

Section 1

Oil Painting or Acrylic Painted as Oil

Delaney Kelly Golding Award

Prize: $800

Winner

Yearning For Youth

Artist: David El-Melky

Judges Comments

An accomplished piece in the chiaroscuro style with a nod to Caravaggio. Photo-realist work can be highly skilful and admirable but lack the spontaneity we admire in more loosely handled painting. Then, now and again, a painting comes along that shows bravura painting that absorbs the viewer in the skill of the artist, the manner of the brushwork as well as the emotion in the subject. This is one of them.

Section 2

Water Medium

Combined Art Societies of Sydney Award

Prize: $800

Winner

The Road Home

Artist: Richard Bardsley-Smith

Judges Comments
A cleverly handled piece with excellent drawing skills, strong composition and an experienced painter’s understanding of chromatic balance between background and foreground. All this achieved within a limited palette that shows the artist’s grasp of the importance of using saturated and de-saturated colour to create distance and depth.

Section 3

Drawing and Mixed Media

Derivan Award

Prize: $500 Derivan goods and $300 from CASS

Winner

Contemplation