OVER 100 art lovers filled Noosa Council’s Noosa Regional Gallery last Friday night to hear the first ever Noosa Art Award winners announced.
Hosted by Cr Tony Wellington, the Noosa Art Award top prize was presented to Brisbane artist Simone Eilser who took out the $7000 open category prize with her work Serpentine III.
Simone said the opportunity to enter the award felt like a natural fit for her practice and personal history in this region.
“My work has always dealt with the natural environment and the hybridity in the evolutionary cycle caused by ever increasing impingement of the urban,” Simone said.
“With my father being a vet and breeding cattle in Kin Kin and my many growing years spent exploring the farm and the marvels of nature, l have a deep respect for this region. I have had many shows here in Australia and in Europe but to receive this award is a very special recognition of my practice”.
Simone’s work now becomes part of Noosa Council’s Corporate Art Collection, adding to the already impressive collection that is shown regularly at the gallery.
Other winners include Nicholas Hew who won the 2D Regional Category award with his painting Glass Houses, and local artist Valerie Willy who took out the 3D Regional Category award with her work Recollection of a Noosa River Dredge.
It seems the judges were impressed with the high calibre of works submitted, awarding highly commended prizes to Nicola Moss, Thom Stuart, Carley Cornelisson, Damien O’Mara, Stella Stevenson, Glenis Gray, Carol Forster, and Rose Barry.
Visitors to the exhibition can participate and vote for their favourite artist in the People’s Choice Award and go in the draw to win a $50 voucher for the Noosa Regional Gallery shop.
The winner of the $1000 People’s Choice Award, sponsored by the Friends of Noosa Regional Gallery, will be announced 26 September, at 11.30am.
The Noosa Art Award finalists exhibition continues until 5 October.
