The winner of the 2021 Blacktown Arts Prize was awarded to Yvette Tziallas for her artwork Lacrimo. The winning artwork in pen, ink and liquid acrylic on birch plywood creates a graphically striking artwork. Lacrimo was chosen from 107 finalists and comes with a prize of $15,000. It has been acquired for the Blacktown City Art Collection.
The artist was selected as a Blacktown City Art Prize finalist for the past three years and the judges were happy to select Yvette Tziallas as this year’s Blacktown City Art Prize winner, hoping that it will provide further encouragement to her practice. The judges also recognised that her unique style was well executed with intricate detail, rich symbolism and has an excellent composition. Lacrimo, which means to ‘weep’ or ‘a flood of tears’, is a highly personal artwork created during a particularly difficult time for the artist.
This year the judges where excited to announce three highly Commended artworks for the Blacktown City Art Prize:
Belinda Sims, The Sentinels
Hyun Hee Lee, Remembering
Peter Rush, The cadence and rhythm of Delhi
The winner of the Aboriginal Artist Prize is Darug artist, Leanne Tobin for her artwork, Are You Listening Now? The artwork provided has in-depth layers of symbolism and connection to the Land; it recognises the themes of renewal and healing whilst referring to historical and current contexts. Leanne was thrilled to be chosen by the judges as they commented that her work conveyed a strong message from the owners and caretakers of the Land, and what they have witnessed and prevailed through the destruction and renewal of Country.
Highly Commended for the Aboriginal Artist Prize was given to:
Maddison Gibbs, River Matriarch
The winner of the Local Artist Prize is local artist Renee Lim for her artwork The Other.
The judges recognised that the portrait displayed a strong individual character with bold expression through the use of colour and brush strokes. The judges reflected on its significance in the context of isolation as well as the sense of resilience it portrays.
Highly Commended for the Local Artist Prize was given to:
Holly Oakley
N.S.W 11am Covid Update
The 2021 Blacktown City Art Prize is open at The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre, Max Webber Library (Blacktown), Dennis Johnson Library (Stanhope Gardens) and Our Library @ The Mount Druitt Hub from Saturday 27 November 2021 – Thursday 27 January 2022.
All artworks are eligible for the People’s Choice Award , and the public is invited to vote here for their favourite work in the exhibition.
Artworks are also available for sale here.
Please join us for the Online Awards Presentation with the winners on Sunday 5 December 2021 at 7pm on Facebook and Blacktown Arts website.
Main Blacktown City Art Prize
Winner
Yvette Tziallas
Lacrimo
Highly Commended
Belinda Sims
The Sentinels
Highly Commended
Peter Rush
The cadence and rhythm of Delhi
Highly Commended
Hyun Hee Lee
Remembering
Aboriginal Artist Prize
Winner
Leanne Tobin
Are You Listening Now?
Highly Commended
Maddison Gibbs
River Matriarch
Local Artist Prize
Winner
Renee Lim
The Other
Highly Commended
Holly Oakley
N.S.W 11am Covid Update
Photo Credit
Jennifer Leahy, Silversalt Photography.