A large oil painting, Born to be Free, by Sunshine Coast artist James Stickland is the winner of the inaugural Seeing the Soul Art Prize People’s Choice Award.
Visitors to Seeing the Soul: Hoofbeats Sanctuary Art Prize and Exhibition at Cooroy Butter Factory Art Centre from 1 to 30 April voted for the winner.
James Stickland will receive $2000, sponsored by Sunshine Coast award-winning entrepreneur, international best-seller and speaker Natasha Coughlan.
Hoofbeats Sanctuary chief executive officer Barb Blashki congratulated Mr Stickland whose work depicts a horse splashing in water, liberated from any constraints.
“I also sincerely thank all the artists, celebrities and sponsors for supporting the exhibition and stepping up to be part of the solution to the current mental health crisis,“ she said.
“The exhibition and art prize has received wonderful response from visitors, which is a great result for our first-ever foray into the arts,” Ms Blashki said.
Ms Coughlan also congratulated the artist and Hoofbeats Sanctuary.
“I am so glad to sponsor this award and support the marvellous work being done by Hoofbeats Sanctuary right here on the Sunshine Coast,” Ms Coughlan said.
Mr Stickland said that he wanted to capture in the painting the feeling of freedom experienced by the horse.
“The horse is depicted as child-like with the water splashing between its hooves, the twisting and multi-directional choices it experiences showcasing the liberation of no restraints.
“Don’t we all want for a stress-free life that this represents,“ he said.
Funds raised from the sale of art works in the exhibition and through the online auction will enable Hoofbeats Sanctuary to deliver tailored, evidence-based, trauma-informed programs, including equine therapy.
Located at Doonan, Hoofbeats Sanctuary is a safe, restorative space that brings people, animals and nature together to improve the emotional well-being of people living with mental health challenges resulting from trauma.
