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.
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.
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.
Awards Judge: John Haycraft
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.
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.
Artist: David El-Melky
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.
Artist: Richard Bardsley-Smith
Artist: Robert Adams
A very skilful combination of strong figure drawing, an interesting pose, and sensitive rendering. The choice of background and colour harmonies gives the picture of an ordinary domestic scene a poignancy that is delicate yet assured in its execution. The modelling of the light on the figure and the flesh tones are stuff of the Ecole des Beaux-Arts.
Artist: David Lake
This work boldly tackles the Green dilemma. Although the longest band in the colour spectrum Green is often avoided by artists wary of its power and effect on surrounding hues. Here it is used assuredly by a masterful painter, cleverly mixing mixing it with complements and analogous colours to give the work vibrancy and a sense of rhythmic patterning throughout.
Artist: David Lake
An appealing colour scheme, added to an unusual composition and shape gives this piece a quality that is evocative. This is an atmosphere that is more easily achieved in larger works where the artist has more room to move. The fact that it has been captured here with such minimal treatment is a testament to the quality of the painter.
Artist: Trish Bennett
Well composed and boldly painted. With limited room to move this artist has kept the composition and colour scheme simple and effective.
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The Diggings, Lightning Ridge
Artist:
David Lake
A painting that breaks the rules of composition with contempt yet invites our contemplation of the subject using rhythm and hue changes with masterly arrangement. The saturated sky colour is bold, nearly sweet, but is offset by the powerfully painted grey mid-values in the foreground. A great example of a painter who knows how to change the rules and has the skill to pull it off.
Self
Artist:
Xavier Ghazi
Self evident bravura painting, with clever use of monochrome and value changes to turn a assured, competent portrait into an arresting work of art.
Studio Props
Artist:
Julie Brown
Sydney Summers
Artist:
Catherine Harry
Road to Fullers Place
Artist:
John Wilson
Gum Leaves
Artist:
John Perkins
Clarissa
Artist:
Joy Bye
Boiled Eggs at Grandma’s
Artist:
Marlene Weaver
Welcoming Rain
Artist:
Diana Garth
Magnolia Blossom
Artist:
Dee Jackson
Portrait
Artist:
Susheela Giri
Turbulence
Artist:
Niki Koeppl
Artist:
Trish Maclachlan
Yellow Flowers
Artist:
Patricia Johnston
Catherine and Tony’s Wall
Artist:
Richard Bardsley-Smith
Tram Door
Artist:
Richard Bardsley-Smith
Lisle-Sur-Tarn, France
Artist:
Christine Matthews
High Mountains Snowgum
Artist:
Narelle Scott
Basil
Artist:
Jeanette Starr
Basilica, Venice
Artist:
Kurt Koeppl
A picture full of whimsy and a sense of fun yet displaying a clear grasp of architectural form and clever composition.
Girl in Profile
Artist:
Thomas Parslow
Old Mates
Artist:
Jeanette Starr
ABN 81 459 592 277
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