The Haven Art Prize winning work is ‘a corker’

The winners of the Haven Art Prize,­ proudly presented by Jervis Bay & Basin Arts Inc, were announced on Sunday 2 June at 11am.

‘I was drawn to re-examine many works while making my judgements, asking questions of their meaning, their content, their skill and their convincing artistry,’ said this year’s judge, South Coast artist Allan Baptist who selected Pattie Keanan’s Wearing Nanna Jensen’s Tattered Lace as the winner the $5,000 first prize.

Pattie Keanan, Wearing Nanna Jensen’s Tattered Lace

‘This is a notable work which uses interesting creative imagery mixed with great sculptural skill. It is a strong portrait of a character and demands you to stop and ponder and to question its hands and head are suspended ­its eyes veiled why! Who is this person and what is the context of the mask and the lace?

‘Memorable art seeks to ask questions and reflect upon its skill and its deeper meaning. This work achieves that goal. It’s a corker!’

The $1,000 highly commended for visual art was given to Linda Dening for Glossy Blacks; an ‘adept use of drawing,’ says Baptist. ‘The cockatoo within its natural wild and tangled environment; undertones of alarm and foreboding cause me to suspect a cautionary message within.’

The recipient of $1000 highly commended for sculpture is Luke Abbott for Monilis purus; ‘An exquisite little gem of a work,’ according to judge Baptist. The work is ‘so small it could be missed ­ but unmistakably the work of a master artisan and an inquisitive, playful mind,’ he continues. ‘The wings fold back into the body. It is a mini mechanical masterpiece. Small is definitely beautiful!’

Entries to The Haven came from NSW’s Shoalhaven area and across Australia, many of whom had strong ties to the local area.

Curator Max Dingle, a visual artist and long-time art collector, selected the finalists to be included during the 10-day the SeeChange Arts Festival from 1 to 10 June and was impressed with the sheer diversity of the entries.

‘From landscapes through to contemporary art via abstraction and many other mediums, including photography and drawing, the entries are indicative of the diverse fields our community works in,’ Dingle said.

‘The Haven will be a big show, with around 55 2D and 25 sculptural works on display. Many of the works have a connection to our local area, and the show embodies the community spirit of the SeeChange Festival.’

During the festival, the venue for The Haven, the Huskisson Community Centre in Dent Street, will act as a hub for artists and festival-goers alike, hosting a variety of activities complementing the exhibition, including a makers’ market, a pop-up café and shop.

There will be many other art exhibitions, performances, culinary experiences and more during the 10-day event.

seechangefestival.net.au

HELP DESK:
subscribe@artistprofile.com.au | PH: +612 8227 6486