The winner of the 2024 Hornsby Art Prize has been announced, with Dave Snook from St Andrews, western Sydney, taking home the top prize for his painting, Labour Plein Air — an oil on board depiction of the effects of the sun on human skin, which judge Sebastian Goldspink said demonstrated "a deft hand, alongside courage and vulnerability".
"The blistering sun is a classic iconography of Australia but a very real experience of the outdoor worker, like that of the sitter of this portrait, who works as a horticulturalist collecting, processing and selling native Australian seeds," said Snook.
Snook's artwork was selected as the winner from a pool of 63 finalists, drawn from an incredible 565 artworks submitted from Hornsby Shire and across Australia. Entries to the categories of Painting, Drawing, Printmaking, Digital Art Stills/Digital Photography and Sculpture competed for a total prize pool valued at $23,000, with the major prize worth $10,000. This year's esteemed judges were Director of Hazelhurst Regional Gallery, Sebastian Goldspink, and renowned printmaker and teacher Rew Hanks.
Hosted by Hornsby Shire Council in partnership with the Hornsby Art Society, who this year are celebrating their 60th anniversary, the Hornsby Art Prize is a national art prize and exhibition promoting and celebrating outstanding Australian contemporary art.
The winners were presented their awards by Hornsby Shire Mayor Warren Waddell at a special ceremony at the Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre on Friday evening.
"Thank you to all the artists who entered the Hornsby Art Prize and to the judges who had the difficult job of selecting the winners," said Mayor Waddell.
"Congratulations to our winner, award recipients and finalists. Hornsby Shire Council is committed to supporting arts and culture and it is fantastic to come together and celebrate local and Australia-wide talent."
The Hornsby Shire Local Artist Award went to David Collins from Dangar Island for his painting, Barrier Range, an oil on canvas. "During a recent Artist's Residency in Broken Hill, I was struck by the juxtaposition of the ancient, timeless land and the temporary, fragile human structures that sit on it," said Collins.
Dave Snook, Labour Plein Air, oil on board
Other award recipients include:
- Digital Art Stills/Digital Photography Award
Orlando Luminere, Wasted View: Brooklyn #0088, inkjet printed fine art print
- Sculpture Award
Dave Doyle, Eroded, cast bronze
- Drawing Award
Lucy O'Doherty, 80s kitchen with CD rack, carrot magnet and unfinished peas, soft pastel on paper
- Printmaking Award
Carolyn Craig, Becoming Penguin, polymer etching from performance
- Painting Award
Peter Sharp, Pebble, oil and acrylic on linen board
Esteemed judge, Sebastian Goldspink expressed his excitement about the exhibition, where the artwork of the winner, award recipients and finalists will be on display. "The exhibition demonstrates a depth across all mediums, and it is a joy to see such strong work from local Sydney based and interstate artists."
"The local work reflects a depth of making that has always been present in the north, and the stunning Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre is an intriguing space to view art, full of hidden corners and unexpected sightlines."
