Kogarah City Council announced the winners of the 2014 Kogarah Art Prize on Friday 20 June 2014. Now in its third year the Kogarah Art Prize has become one of the key annual cultural events in our City.
The prize was judged by Anne Loxley, Curator at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney and presented by Kogarah Mayor, Councillor Stephen Agius at the opening night of the Finalists’ Exhibition at the Kogarah Library and Cultural Centre.
‘There were 179 works submitted, from local artists through to indigenous artworks from Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia, each one with its own story to tell.’ From these entries, Judge Anne Loxley selected 35 works to be part of the Finalists’ Exhibition.
“It’s a strong, interesting show, which celebrates the local and has bought artists from far afield. There are skilful works, and there are artists here whose work I haven’t seen before – and I would genuinely be interested in seeing more from them,” said Loxley. She went on to describe the winning artwork, Wombat Man by Anh Do as, “a commanding portrait, and the bravura of his painting style is very impressive.”
Winner of the Kogarah Art Prize, artist, comedian and author Anh Do said, “I’m so thrilled to be a part of this prize. I grew up in Earlwood and some of my best mates went to Kogarah High. I’m honored to be judged the winner by Anne who curates such amazing shows at the MCA and I’m just incredibly happy tonight.”
Annabelle Josse was the winner of the Place of Reeds Prize for a local artist with her diptych, Now and Then, described by Loxley as “a very strong, unpretentious work which is unabashedly personal.”
Sallwa Hourani received a commendation with particular comment on her skilful painting technique for her work Stage II.
2014 City of Kogarah Art Prize Finalists’ Exhibition
Kogarah Library and Cultural Centre
Until 13 July, 2014
New South Wales
Image: Anh Do, with winning work Wombat Man
