Art of Sydney Awards Exhibition 2025
Our regular annual event, the Art of Sydney Awards Exhibition was held in March. A premium event which showcases the work of artists from our 12 member societies which together are the Combined Art Societies of Sydney (CASS).
33rd ART OF SYDNEY EXHIBITION
AWARD WINNERS
The Awards Presentation was held on Saturday afternoon, 22nd March, at the Randwick Town Hall.
This year, our judge, Paul McCarthy selected the winners in each of the 5 sections and the awards were presented by our patrons, Her Excellency, the Honourable Margaret Beazley AC KC, Governor of New South Wales and Mr Dennis Wilson.
The winners in the miniature section were presented by one of our sponsors, Mr. Joe Green.
Here are our WINNERS!
BEST IN SHOW went to Colina Grant for her painting titled “Peace”
JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Perfectly captured translation, wonderful use of clean darks and linking elements.”
Section 1 – Oil Painting or Acrylic painted as Oil
The WINNER for this section was Marlene Weaver for her portrait of “David”
JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Powerful and controlled semi-abstraction. Nicely overlayed line and shape”
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Morris Yang – Norah Head Beach
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
“Good composition and colour harmony.
Well controlled with bold confident strokes”
HIGHLY COMMENDED
John Perkins – Loading Newcastle
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
“Good drawing and design of an industrial setting.
Well balanced small painting.”
COMMENDED
Liz Donley
“Sea Treasure Urchin”
COMMENDED
Zofia Swita-Bobryk
“The Reader – from life”
COMMENDED
Robert Wale
“Colours of Fira (Santorini)”
Section 2 – Water Medium
The WINNER for this section was Dee Jackson for her painting titled “Bella”
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
“Magnificent Control and understanding of the medium.
Superb drawing skills in paint.
Exceptional understanding of tone and colour.
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Catherine Murphy
“I see the Sea”
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Trish Maclachan
“Rushcutters Bay”
COMMENDED
Jean Murray
“Springtime”
COMMENDED
Gloria Galvin
“Water’s Edge”
Section 3 – Drawing and Mixed Media
The WINNER for this section was Harry Tolitsasfor his portrait of “Keith”
JUDGE’S COMMENTS: “Well observed, loose but accurate approach. Good understanding of tone and colour.”
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Jennifer Maclaine-Cross
“Rose with Lilies”
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
“Colour and Line to Perfection”
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Peter Whitehead
“Submersion”
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
“Nicely balanced and controlled abstract,
– good collection of different shapes”
COMMENDED
Jane Wray
“Bathing Beauties”
COMMENDED
Annette McCrossin
“If you go down the woods today”
COMMENDED
Jan Latta
Jan Latta also received an award for her
“Plate Etching”
Section 4 – Abstract Paintings
The WINNER for this section was Jenny Hall for her painting titled “Lakeland”
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
”Good colour discord and drawn marks to take the viewer through the picture”
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Michelle Hendriks
“Land of Oz 2”
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
“Great rhythm and repeated shapes with enough variation to invoke movement.”
COMMENDED
Harald Kamp
“Destination”
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Jean Capelletto
“Mozart Mass in C Minor”
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
“Confident controlled mark making, clean colour and good rhythm”
Section 5 – Suzanne Green Award for Miniature Paintings
The WINNER for this section was Marina Bishop for her painting titled “Chiswick Pool”
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
“Wonderful design and composition, simplicity of carving with economy of print area.
A beautiful translation of the landscape.”
HIGHLY COMMENDED
Robyn Langford-Brown
“Sturt Desert Pea”
COMMENDED
Freda Surgenor
“An Early Meeting”
All Sections – FINALISTS
Harry Tolitsas – Mick
Morris Yang – Bondi Beach
Caroline Oesterheld – At the Window
Freda Surgenor – On guard
Jennifer Maclaine – Cross – Gumnuts
Jan Latta – Strength
Heather Macorison – Alchemy
Diana Borinski – Untitled
Alannah Best – Along Cliff Drive, Blue Mountains
Oksana Stevens – Before the night descends
OTHER AWARDS
In addition to the above awards, we also had our usual People’s Choice Award and this year, the award went to Niki Koeppl for her artwork titled; “My Boy 2”.
We also had two similar awards, firstly from the Randwick Town Hall Team Choice,
which was presented to Elaine Foulsham for her work “The Faded Day”.
We also had the Leveller’s Picks, presenting two awards;
“Heading South” by Jane Wray and “Hidden Face” by Joe Green.
“Heading South” by Jane Wray
“Hidden Face” by Joe Green.
We would also like to thank the following 3 artists who kindly donated their paintings for our Art of Sydney Raffle prizes which raised funds for CareFlight.
Diana Garth donated her landscape painting titled “View from Stanwell Tops”
Shirley Hagarty donated her artwork titled “Afternoon Light”
Marlene Weaver donated her artwork titled “Parrot”
Our previous Art of Sydney Awards Exhibition
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
Awards Judge:
Dario Falzon
Multi Award winning artist Dario Falzon is based in Sydney and has been invited to judge many Sydney art events. His work has been published in several magazines including The Australian Artist.
Guest of Honour:
Dennis Wilson
Our CASS Patron, Mr Dennis Wilson presented the awards at the Official Opening of the Exhibition on Saturday, 25th March between 2 and 4pm.
Awards Presentation Ceremony
Best Exhibit In Show
The Art Scene Award
Prize: $1,000 Gift Voucher
Winner
GLOW
Artist: David El-Melky
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A beautifully executed piece of traditional realism. The composition is well balanced and the expert use of contrast guide the viewer’s eye, keeping them constantly engaged and wandering the quiet rhythms of the subject matter. A wonderfully realised study that shows a level of control only capable when one has mastered their craft.
Section 1
Award for Oil Painting or Acrylic painted as Oil
Prize: $500
Winner
Red Earth Tranquillity
Artist: Dana Sypniewski
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A vibrant piece that utilises a strong complementary colour scheme and dynamic contrast to depict its subject matter. The pleasing repetition of form draws the eye in, and the placement of complementary colour shapes guides the viewer allowing them to wander, but never getting lost.
Highly Commended
Approaching Storm Bombo
Artist: John Perkins
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A strong foreground anchors the composition providing visual and metaphorical contrast with the chaos of the stormy sea and distant clouds. The use of light and dark serves to heighten the dramatic tension.
Commended
Scones and Cream at Grandma's
Artist: Marlene Weaver
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
An amazingly realised still life. The radiating lines formed by the various objects on the table draw the eyes to the focal point, rewarded with the ingenious depiction of flowers in a vase, caught in appliances’ reflection. The bold use of colour pulls you in but it’s the expert handling of it that keeps you engaged.
Finalists
As the Crows Fly on a Cold Lonesome Morning
Artist: Douglas Chapman
Daburi Lane (iGore)
Artist: Phil McKay
Ellery Creek Dreaming
Artist: Heidi Hereth
Sunflower
Artist: Kym Morris
Section 2
Water Medium
Prize: $500
Winner
Shoal Bay Oceania
Artist: Diana Borinski
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A thoughtful and considered composition, lovingly portraying the beauty of the ocean represented by a shell collection. The placement of shell, shape and colour creates a path for the eye that can be calmly wandered and enjoyed.
Highly Commended
Lady Hillingdon
Artist: Jean Murray
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
An exquisite still life that almost hypnotises the viewer with its rhythmic folds, light and darks, warm colours and cool colours. All serve to engage and entice, but ultimately guide the viewer back to the focal point of the centre of the main flower. Well done!
Commended
Summer Pastime
Artist: Gloria Galvin
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A well-executed maritime landscape with lovely use of atmospheric perspective. The big sky is full of light and creates a nice balance to the warms and cools of the shoreline below.
Finalists
Gunnamatta Bay
Artist: Trish Maclachlan
Anyone for Yachting
Artist: Yvonne West
Sea Caves
Artist: Heidi Hereth
Melancholy
Artist: Niki Koeppl
Section 3
Drawing and Mixed Media
Derivan Award - Goods to the value of $500
Winner
Wandsworth Gate
Artist: Joan Morrison-Swan
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
An intimate little scene with a subject matter rendered in beautiful detail. The clear and concise filigree of the gate contrasts nicely with the dark and chaotic linework of the foreground foliage. Combined with the distant tree line and the foreground brick wall, they serve to frame the gate (itself a frame of sorts) of the piece’s title. Subtle use of colour adds life and depth.
Highly Commended
The Hidden Cave
Artist: Joe Green
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A captivating little scene that drew my attention. The unique handling of the medium creates countless interesting passages that evoke a sense of life, mystery and depth.
Commended
In Situ
Artist: Xavier Ghazi
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A beautiful portrait, supported by adept draughtsmanship and control of values. The use of soft and hard edges reinforces the focal point while the restrained depiction of eyes creates a level of dramatic tension and mystery.
Finalists
Section 4
Abstract Paintings
Prize: $500
Winner
Rarefied Atmosphere
Artist: Terry Lavis
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A unique piece whose framing choice is just as much a part of the work as is the painted subject itself. It allows the eye view ‘through a window’ of sorts and ‘see what they want to see’; it requires interaction in order to reciprocate meaning. For me, this evokes quiet mornings kayaking on the Hawkesbury River at Cattai. A truly wonderful little piece.
Highly Commended
Colour Me
Artist: Maria Kapodistrias
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A lively dance of shape and colour. The vibrant flashes of turquoise create movement and complementary contrast, all the while ensuring the eye never wanders too far.
Commended
Mariner’s Flow
Artist: Kym Morris
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A fluid and circular composition guides the viewer around the centre anchor. The cool blues and green create a calming movement punctuated with bursts of bright colour shapes. A lovely little abstract piece.
Finalists
Connections
Artist: Jani Nanavati
Farbenfroh
Artist: Kurt Koeppl
Break the Algorithm
Artist: Waqeea Chaudhry
Section 5
Award for Best Small Painting
Award: $500
Winner
Skip (Witches Hat)
Artist: Phil McKay
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A simple subject matter that utilises bold colour shapes to create a composition that elevates the ordinary to the extraordinary. It is a wonderful example of seeing the sublime in places we often overlook.
Highly Commended
In Golden Light
Artist: Patricia Latta
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A well-executed backlit subject. Excellent control of values. The subject’s gaze piercing and engages the viewer immediately. All of this is underpinned by masterful draughtsmanship.
Commended
Night
Artist: Robert Adams
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A beautifully little piece full of softness and light, The contrasting cool and warm colours create the illusion of the disc glowing while the downward gesture of the figure creates a gentle sense of mystery.
Commended
Pittwater Angophora
Artist: Peter Warner
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A magical little landscape that shows a deft understanding of composition, tonal structure and light temperature relationships. The use of the tree and the contrasting warm and cool light on foreground foliage serves to create a circular composition that frames the distant focal point.
Finalists
Happy in the Valley
Artist: Trish Bennett
Manly Beach
Artist: Dana Sypniewski
Shelly Beach in the Dreamtime
Artist: Robert Wale
Section 6
Miniature Paintings
‘Susanne Green’ Award - $500 for Best Miniature Painting
Winner
Ocean Treasures
Artist: Heidi Hereth
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A sweet little vignette that contains everything it needs and nothing else, executed with deft and delicate draughtsmanship.
Highly Commended
Good Morning Sunshine
Artist: Annette McCrossin
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A beautiful depiction of morning light with the cow silhouettes creating the perfect contrast of cool dark with the warm bloom of the rising sun.
Commended
Sunday Golf
Artist: Diana Garth
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
The use of the high horizon line ensures that the eye stays focused on the subject and understands its importance in the piece. A lovely little composition.
Finalists
Nature’s Window
Artist: Trish Bennett
Visitation
Artist: Robyn Langford-Brown
Taj Mahal from the River
Artist: Terry Lavis