Local artist Elaine Fewings won top gong and a $3000 prize at the Esperance Art awards for her piece The Gentle Nature of Peaceful Resistance.
It consists of 60 small pine blocks depicting a migrating flock of black cockatoos, rendered in beeswax, castor wax, oil paint and toner and mounted on a board.
Fewings said she first transferred the photocopied images of birds to the blocks which were already treated with wax-based paints.
“The wax accepted the toner, so I was able to wash away the paper,” she said.
Fewings said the birds were a symbol of freedom and peace.
“It is about moving beyond the constraints of societal norms or finding some kind of peaceful way to buck the system,” she said.
“I want people to find a way to think for themselves, to think outside of the box, find peaceful ways to move beyond what is not part of your convictions and still be peaceful about your protest.”
It was one of 10 award categories with prizes ranging from $500 to $3000.
Shire President Mr Ron Chambers presented the award, with Judge Zali Morgan describing the piece as “technically sound, uniquely formed, well-resolved, and deeply emotive.”
Other award recipients were:
Marine Theme Award: Gull, Mew Call by Jason Wooldridge (Sculpture) – Sponsored by
Southern Ports Esperance
First Nations Artist Award: On Country by Jaroah Schultz (Painting) – Sponsored by Mineral Resources Limited
Three Dimensional Award: Cracked Reverie by Sarsby (Sculpture) – Sponsored by Chris Siemer
Two Dimensional Award: Weathering the Storm by Scott Fisher (Photograph) – Sponsored by Farm and General
Youth Artist Award: Ca Pacity by Jess Le Monnier (Sculpture) – Sponsored by Hon. Steve Martin MLC
Highly Commended:
Street Play by Sue Scudds (Painting) – Sponsored by Mr. Peter James Rundles MLA
and Hon. Colin Stephen de Grussa
Dreaming Mamang’s (whales) connecting Dandjoo (together) in the Mambakoort
(ocean) by Athena (Shaw) Boast (Painting) – Sponsored by Mineral Resources
Limited
Coiled by Tara Stafford (Sculpture) – Sponsored by Kyza Presents
The exhibition will remain open at the Cannery Arts Centre until February 9.
