Sydney-based artist Sarah Goffman is the first-ever winner of the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery’s ‘STILL: National Still Life Award’ for her work Asian Table (2017), a reproduction of ancient Chinese ceramics, reconstructed from intricately-painted, recycled plastic.
Sarah Goffman, Asian Table, 2017
‘I am overwhelmed and so grateful to win this award,’ said Goffman. ‘Art prizes present a conundrum. I have mixed feelings, if only every artist in this exhibition could be awarded $20,000. It’s brave to make art, we make ourselves vulnerable and we’re not always rewarded for it.’
Still: National Still Life Award winner – Sarah Goffman with her work Asian Table (2017)
The biennial ‘STILL: National Still Life Award’ seeks to highlight the diversity and vitality of still life in Australian contemporary art practice, broadening the interpretation of this enduring genre. The award encourages artists from across Australia, at all stages of their careers, to explore still life themes through all mediums – this year’s result, a total of 605 entries includes painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, ceramics, glass, sculpture, video, printmaking and textiles.
Judge Lisa Slade, Assistant Director, Artistic Programmes, Art Gallery of South Australia, described ‘STILL’ as ‘a game changer’; ”STILL’ has placed the still life genre at the heart of contemporary art practice. There is a real sense that something new is happening here,’ she said.
Five commendations were awarded to Tiffany Cole, Sarah Edmondson, Guy Gilmour, Sam Leach and Prue Venables. The People’s Choice Award of $5000 was split between Coffs Harbour artist Ben Fayle for his work Rose Coloured Glasses No.2 (2017) and Sydney photographer Greg Weight’s Bohemian Table (2017).
The exhibition of 63 finalists is on view at Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery until 20 January 2018.
