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Art of Sydney Awards Exhibition

2021

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 restrictions, our 31st Art of Sydney Exhibition in 2021 was held ONLINE!

It was an exciting exhibition, quite different from the previous events we’re all so familiar with, but there were still some elements that we managed to maintain. The exhibition has always been a juried event for CASS members, and so we were very pleased and honoured to have renowned artist, Mr John Haycraft to judge the entries in our first online event.

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

Artist: Robert Adams

Judges Comments

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.

Section 4

Abstract Paintings

Delaney Kelly Golding Award

Prize: $800

Winner

Composition In Green

Artist: David Lake

Judges Comments

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.

Section 5

9" by 5" Paintings

Mary Kelly Award

Prize: $500

Winner

Evening Pastoral

Artist: David Lake

Judges Comments

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.

Section 6

Miniature Paintings

Combined Art Societies of Sydney Award

Prize: $500

Winner

Stirs The Heart

Artist: Trish Bennett

Judges Comments

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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Section 1 - Additional Awards

Oil Painting or Acrylic Painted as Oil

Second Prize

Prize: $200

The Diggings, Lightning Ridge

Artist: 

David Lake

Judges Comments

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.

Third Prize

Prize: $100

Self

Artist: 

Xavier Ghazi

Judges Comments

Self evident bravura painting, with clever use of monochrome and value changes to turn a assured, competent portrait into an arresting work of art.

Highly Commended

Certificate awarded

Studio Props

Artist: 

Julie Brown

Commended

Certificate awarded

Sydney Summers

Artist: 

Catherine Harry

 

Finalists

Catalogue recognition

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

Section 2 - Additional Awards

Water Medium

Second Prize

Prize: $200

Magnolia Blossom

Artist: 

Dee Jackson

Judges Comments
This is an example of bravura watercolour painting where the artist lives on the edge of disaster. A moment’s inattention to the caprice of the medium can mean the difference between success and failure. Working wet-in-wet the watercolour painter has to allow the medium to find its own way yet have the skill to add to it or leave it when required. Boldly, and well achieved here.

Third Prize

Prize: $100

Portrait

Artist: 

Susheela Giri

Judges Comments
An astute use of the medium where overpainting is invited but resisted here with fresh, clean, bold painting over a sound grasp of anatomical perspective.

Highly Commended

Certificate awarded

Turbulence

Artist: 

Niki Koeppl

Commended

Certificate awarded
La Maison Rose, Montmartre

Artist: 

Trish Maclachlan

Finalists

Catalogue recognition

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

Section 3 - Additional Awards

Drawing and Mixed Media

Second Prize

Prize: $200

Basil

Artist: 

Jeanette Starr

Judges Comments
The sheer skill of the artist here has lifted what could be a sentimental study of a sweet animal into a powerful, bold statement full of action and seemingly catching the subject in a fleeting moment. The artist shows a complete confidence in the drafting and rendering of the hair and character. And has gone beyond that to imbue the picture with a personal drawing style that is outstanding.

Third Prize

Prize: $100

Basilica, Venice

Artist: 

Kurt Koeppl

Judges Comments

A picture full of whimsy and a sense of fun yet displaying a clear grasp of architectural form and clever composition.

Highly Commended

Certificate awarded

Girl in Profile

Artist: 

Thomas Parslow

Commended

Certificate awarded

Old Mates

Artist: 

Jeanette Starr

Finalists

Catalogue recognition

Invigorates My Soul

Artist: 

Trish Bennett

Pastel Study

Artist: 

Chris Seale

Rockpool

Artist: 

Jane Wray

The Silver Earing

Artist: 

Robert Adams

Section 4 - Additional Awards

Abstract Paintings

Second Prize

Prize: $200

Revelation

Artist: 

Kurt Koeppl

Judges Comments
A clever use of the medium and letting ‘watercolour be watercolour’. Whilst there is a sense of the accidental here, it could equally be interpreted as controlled spontaneity. The result is an unfolding of inner light as darker edges are peeled back to reveal something subliminal.

Third Prize

Prize: $100

City Portal

Artist: 

Heather Macorison

Judges Comments
Abstraction is sometimes only understood by the artist. Its appeal then, has to be in the shapes, colour, and direction of the line. This one has power and angularity that suggests an opening. The clue is in its name. Its interpretation is up to the viewer.

Highly Commended

Certificate awarded

Theta 1

Artist: 

Xavier Ghazi

Commended

Certificate awarded

Sugar Candy

Artist: 

Jennifer Maclaine-Cross

Finalists

Catalogue recognition

Tidal Surge

Artist: 

Isabella Kwiatkowski

Colour Field

Artist: 

Clarissa Regan

Blue Puddles

Artist: 

Julie Peadon

Earth Forms

Artist: 

Ruth Eager

Section 5 - Additional Awards

9" by 5" Paintings

Second Prize

Prize: $200

Boys At The River

Artist: 

Madeleine Szymanski

Judges Comments
A clever use of the medium and the oft spoken phrase in watercolour painting to, “preserve your lights” has been finely demonstrated with this piece. A very skillful little painting with drawing competency, composition, simplicity, tonal values, granulation, in fact all the ‘isms’ that make watercolour so appealing.

Third Prize

Prize: $100

Scone

Artist: 

Werner Filipich

Judges Comments
Masterful painting, well handled in such a small size. This honours the fine progenitors of this genre of painting.

Highly Commended

Certificate awarded

A Stretch

Artist: 

Xavier Ghazi

Commended

Certificate awarded

After the Rain

Artist: 

Diana Garth

Section 6 - Additional Awards

Miniature Paintings

Second Prize

Prize: $200

Juliet

Artist: 

Mara Marston Boni

Judges Comments
Rubenesque in appearance this small work appeals for how much the artist has managed to express with such a small study. It is full of character and suggests an intimacy between the sitter and the painter that is very appealing.

Third Prize

Prize: $100

Friends

Artist: 

Madeleine Szymanski

 

Judges Comments
A sensitive moment caught sensitively by the artist using a clever colour scheme and tonal value arrangement that draws the viewer into the picture and makes them privy to a quiet moment.

Highly Commended

Certificate awarded

Islands

Artist: 

Madeleine Szymanski

Commended

Certificate awarded

Moored in the Bay

Artist: 

Freda Surgenor

Combined Art Societies of Sydney

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