The 2024 Blacktown City Art Prize and Young Artist Prize winners have been announced.
Blacktown Arts received 381 entries from across Western Sydney and Australia, with special consideration given to artworks that reflect upon the diverse history, environment of Blacktown and First Nations stories of the area.
The Main Prize winner is Catherine O’Donnell for her artwork Gilded Communities.
Once synonymous with state housing and western Sydney, this style of fibro houses is now slowly being phased out and replaced. By gilding these small models in gold leaf, the houses become treasures, speaking to issues around housing affordability, architecture, and suburbia.
The winning artwork was chosen from 81 finalists and comes with a prize of $15,000.
It will also be acquired for the Blacktown City Art Collection.
Blacktown City Art Prize Winners:
Main Prize Winner: Catherine O’Donnell, Gilded Communities
First Nations Prize Winner: Nathan Dawson, Loss of Identity/Culture
Local Artist Prize Winner: Anjali Sharma, Momentary Threads of Youth
Early Career Artist Prize Winner: Mina Lee, Here Comes Trouble
Blacktown City Art Prize Highly Commended:
Main Prize Highly Commended: Virginia Keft, This colony thrives in a landscape of NO
First Nations Prize Highly Commended: Jacqueline Jacky, That Place They Had (Part 1)
Local Artist Prize Highly Commended: Jack and Noel, Red Soil of Blacktown
Early Career Artist Prize Highly Commended: Tahlia Henderson, Seeking Shelter in a sudden drenching, and Carissa Karamarko, Surprise Birthday Cake
Image: 2024 Blacktown City First Nations Art Prize Winner, Nathan Dawson, by Liza Moscatelli, Mosca Media Australia
Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said;
“Blacktown City Council is committed to celebrating the artists, cultural organisations, diversity, and the creative communities of western Sydney.
The Blacktown City Art Prize is a highly acclaimed art prize and I congratulate Catherine O’Donnell for creating this year’s winning entry. For 28 years, the Blacktown City Art Prize has provided artists with an opportunity to exhibit, share and develop their works while at the same time demonstrating Blacktown City Council’s commitment to the arts and the major role the arts play in the life of our City.”
This year’s judging panel was comprised of Amani Haydar, an award-winning author, visual artist, and advocate for women’s health and safety based in western Sydney, Luke Létourneau, Curatorial and Collections Lead at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, and Venessa Possum, CEO at Blue Mountains Culture and Resource Centre and a Dharug Dharawal Custodian acknowledging connections to Gungungurra Peoples.
Alongside the Art Prize, Blacktown Arts is showcasing over 70 artworks in the 2024 Young Artist Prize exhibition. Responding to the theme of ‘Creating Cooler Cities’, the young winners showed a keen interest in the future of Blacktown.
Image: Young Artist Prize Awards Ceremony Winners, by Gary Trinh
Young Artist Prize Winners:
Best interpretation of ‘cooler’ city: Erin Faraon, Blacktown is my cool town – Age 8, Kings Park
Most expressive use of colour: Breonna Konidana, Our Mother Nature – Age 12, Tallawong
Most creative use of sustainable materials: Ved Patel, My Flower Vase – Age 4, Quakers Hill
Best green environment: Cooper Butcher, My Green Blacktown City – Age 9, Quakers Hill
Best expression of Blacktown City: Naduli Kuruppu, Cooler Westpoint – Age 12, Toongabbie
Visitors can vote in person for their favourite artwork in the People’s Choice Prize with the winner announced in the final week of the exhibition.
2024 Blacktown City Art Prize and Young Artist Prize Exhibition
Visit the Blacktown City Art Prize and Young Artist Prize exhibitions from
Tuesday 10 January to Friday 5 April 2024. Entry is free and all are welcome.
Visit our website for more information our follow us on social media @blacktownarts.
Image:
2024 Blacktown City Art Prize Main Winner, Catherine O’Donnell, by Liza Moscatelli, Mosca Media Australia