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Tweed-based Wiradjuri artist Hannah Lange has been awarded the top prize in the 2024 Wollumbin Art Award (WAA) with a stunning painting paying tribute to traditional First Nations weaving entitled Weaving by the River. The artist also wins a two-week residency at the Gallery's Nancy Fairfax Artist in Residence Studio.
The guest judge for the biennial non-acquisitive $30,000 prize was Hazelhurst Arts Centre Director and proud descendant of the Burramattagal people of Western Sydney, Sebastian Goldspink, who announced the winners at Tweed Regional Gallery just before 7 pm tonight.
Mr Goldspink awarded the WAA Bundjalung Award to Byron-based Arakwal Bundjalung artist Nickolla Clark for her painting Ngalawaa ma lee la Brunswick Balun (Gathering on Brunswick River). Painted with ochres, this artwork signifies the role the Brunswick River has played for the Bundjalung nation. As part of the Award, Ms Clark will also exhibit in a solo show at the Gallery in 2025.
Byron Shire-based artist Joshua Vogel received the Emerging Artist Award for his painting, On the inside there was an innate tenderness, an intimate painting offering a glimpse into a private world.
Presenting the Awards, Mr Goldspink said how much he loved the sense of place experienced when visiting the Tweed Regional Gallery.
"Every time I visit, I am struck by what incredible country it is, Bundjalung Country; framed by mountains and the ocean, intersected by rivers," he said.
"It's a place where lots of different things meet and this is reflected in the Award – 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."
Artists were presented their Awards by Uncle Victor Slockee along with pre-selection panel member and respected local elder Aunty Joyce Summers, and President of the Tweed Regional Gallery Foundation Warren Polglase OAM.
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.
Also announced on the night were the winners of the Gallery's Wollumbin Youth Art Award (WYAA), with guest judge artist Jodi Ferrari, Curator of the Children's Gallery at HOTA Home of the Arts, selecting artworks 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).
Ms Ferrari was full of praise for the aspiring young artists who entered the WYAA.
"The Wollumbin Youth Art Award provides fantastic insights to the way young people see and experience the world around them," Ms Ferrari said.
"I was impressed by the diversity of work by this year's finalists in their choice of medium, approach and subject matter. I congratulate these young artists for boldly sharing their work with us."
Friends of the Gallery and Gallery Foundation members joined finalists and their families for a night of celebration that also marked the Spring Opening celebrations for Melissa Spratt's exhibition SENSITISED & SENTIMENTAL.
The Wollumbin Art Award is Tweed Regional Gallery's biennial $30,000 Award, 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 Wollumbin Youth Art Award is a biennial award for young artists aged 5 to 18 years. The Awards, named for the mountain the Gallery overlooks, celebrates the calibre and diversity of artists of the region. Together the Awards attracted 602 entries, with 123 artworks selected for the finalist exhibitions.
The WYAA and WAA finalist exhibitions are on view at Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre until Sunday 24 November. The exhibitions are free to the public and visitors can learn more about the exhibitions during the free guided tours held daily at 11 am.
