Art of Sydney Awards Exhibition
2023
Full details and ENTRY FORMS for the above event are now available at:
https://artofsydneyexhibition.com
2021 / 2022
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
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
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
Third Prize
Prize: $100
Portrait
Artist:
Susheela Giri
Judges Comments
Highly Commended
Certificate awarded
Turbulence
Artist:
Niki Koeppl
Commended
Certificate awarded
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
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
Third Prize
Prize: $100
City Portal
Artist:
Heather Macorison
Judges Comments
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
Third Prize
Prize: $100
Scone
Artist:
Werner Filipich
Judges Comments
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
Third Prize
Prize: $100
Friends
Artist:
Madeleine Szymanski
Judges Comments
Highly Commended
Certificate awarded
Islands
Artist:
Madeleine Szymanski
Commended
Certificate awarded
Moored in the Bay
Artist:
Freda Surgenor