2024 Wollumbin Art Award winners announced

Tweed Regional Gallery’s biennial $30,000 Wollumbin Art Award (WAA) is open to artists living in the Tweed, Ballina, Byron, Kyogle and Scenic Rim shires, as well as Lismore, Gold Coast and Richmond Valley local government areas. The Awards, named for the mountain the Gallery overlooks, celebrates the calibre and diversity of artists of the region, who were invited to submit works of any subject matter and medium.

In 2024, 602 entries were received, with 123 works selected for the finalist exhibitions, “works that come from Country, look at Country, and reflect the diversity that exists here. This is a special place that generates creativity, a place where ideas and art flourish,” said guest judge, Hazelhurst Arts Centre Director and proud descendant of the Burramattagal people of Western Sydney, Sebastian Goldspink.

Hannah Lange, Weaving by the River, 2024, acrylic on cotton canvas. © the artist. Courtesy the artist

Congratulations to the following winners:

Tweed-based Wiradjuri artist Hannah Lange has been awarded the overall winner of the 2024 WAA, receiving $15,000 for her painting Weaving by the River, which pays tribute to traditional First Nations weaving. The artist also wins a two-week residency at the Tweed Regional Gallery’s Nancy Fairfax Artist in Residence Studio.

The $10,000 WAA Bundjalung Award for First Nations artists was awarded to Byron-based Arakwal Bundjalung artist Nickolla Clark for her painting Ngalawaa ma lee la Brunswick Balun (Gathering on Brunswick River). Painted with ochres, the work signifies the role the Brunswick River has played for the Bundjalung nation. As part of the Award, Clark will also exhibit in a solo exhibition at the Gallery in 2025.

Byron Shire-based artist Joshua Vogel received the $5,000 Emerging Artist Award for his painting On the inside there was an innate tenderness, an intimate painting offering a glimpse into a private world.

The WAA Highly Commended artist was Tal Fitzpatrick, with Kane Corowa receiving Highly Commended for the Bundjalung Award, and Araby Steen receiving the Highly Commended Emerging Artist Award.

Tweed Regional Gallery also celebrates the creativity of the region’s youth with the Wollumbin Youth Art Award (WYAA), with guest judge artist Jodi Ferrari, Curator of the Children’s Gallery at HOTA Home of the Arts, selecting the winning works by young artists Blair Davis (5–8 years), Chloe Dyer (9–12 years), Amelia Laurie (13–15 years) and Peri Hynes (16–18 years).

Young artists receiving Highly Commended awards were Escher Pipon Tyler (5–8 years), Chloe Harris (9–12 years), Gus Roberts (13–15 years) and Jamie Mifsud (16–18 years).

The 2024 WYAA and WAA finalist exhibitions are on view at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre, South Murwillumbah NSW 2484, until 24 November.

gallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au

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