The 34th Art of Sydney Exhibition
32nd ART OF SYDNEY EXHIBITION
AWARD WINNERS
Awards Judge:
Dario Falzon
Multi Award winning artist Dario Falzon is based in Sydney and has been invited to judge many Sydney art events. His work has been published in several magazines including The Australian Artist.
Guest of Honour:
Dennis Wilson
Our CASS Patron, Mr Dennis Wilson presented the awards at the Official Opening of the Exhibition on Saturday, 25th March between 2 and 4pm.
Awards Presentation Ceremony
We hope you enjoy viewing our Awards Presentation Ceremony showing our award winners in each section.
Best Exhibit In Show
The Art Scene Award
Prize: $1,000 Gift Voucher
Winner
GLOW
Price: $16,250
Artist: David El-Melky
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A beautifully executed piece of traditional realism. The composition is well balanced and the expert use of contrast guide the viewer’s eye, keeping them constantly engaged and wandering the quiet rhythms of the subject matter. A wonderfully realised study that shows a level of control only capable when one has mastered their craft.
Section 1
Award for Oil Painting or Acrylic painted as Oil
Prize: $500
Winner
Red Earth Tranquillity
SOLD
Artist: Dana Sypniewski
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A vibrant piece that utilises a strong complementary colour scheme and dynamic contrast to depict its subject matter. The pleasing repetition of form draws the eye in, and the placement of complementary colour shapes guides the viewer allowing them to wander, but never getting lost.
Highly Commended
Approaching Storm Bombo
Price: $1,100
Artist: John Perkins
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A strong foreground anchors the composition providing visual and metaphorical contrast with the chaos of the stormy sea and distant clouds. The use of light and dark serves to heighten the dramatic tension.
Commended
Scones and Cream at Grandma's
Price: $1,500
Artist: Marlene Weaver
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
An amazingly realised still life. The radiating lines formed by the various objects on the table draw the eyes to the focal point, rewarded with the ingenious depiction of flowers in a vase, caught in appliances’ reflection. The bold use of colour pulls you in but it’s the expert handling of it that keeps you engaged.
Finalists
As the Crows Fly on a Cold Lonesome Morning $1,000
Artist: Douglas Chapman
Daburi Lane (iGore) $650
Artist: Phil McKay
Ellery Creek Dreaming $1,200
Artist: Heidi Hereth
Sunflower $210
Artist: Kym Morris
Section 2
Water Medium
Prize: $500
Winner
Shoal Bay Oceania
Price: $475
Artist: Diana Borinski
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A thoughtful and considered composition, lovingly portraying the beauty of the ocean represented by a shell collection. The placement of shell, shape and colour creates a path for the eye that can be calmly wandered and enjoyed.
Highly Commended
Lady Hillingdon
Artist: Jean Murray
Price: $300
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
An exquisite still life that almost hypnotises the viewer with its rhythmic folds, light and darks, warm colours and cool colours. All serve to engage and entice, but ultimately guide the viewer back to the focal point of the centre of the main flower. Well done!
Commended
Summer Pastime
Artist: Gloria Galvin
Price: $500
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A well-executed maritime landscape with lovely use of atmospheric perspective. The big sky is full of light and creates a nice balance to the warms and cools of the shoreline below.
Finalists
Gunnamatta Bay $600
Artist: Trish Maclachlan
Anyone for Yachting $375
Artist: Yvonne West
Sea Caves $450
Artist: Heidi Hereth
Melancholy $595
Artist: Niki Koeppl
Section 3
Drawing and Mixed Media
Derivan Award - Goods to the value of $500
Winner
Wandsworth Gate
Price: $350
Artist: Joan Morrison-Swan
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
An intimate little scene with a subject matter rendered in beautiful detail. The clear and concise filigree of the gate contrasts nicely with the dark and chaotic linework of the foreground foliage. Combined with the distant tree line and the foreground brick wall, they serve to frame the gate (itself a frame of sorts) of the piece’s title. Subtle use of colour adds life and depth.
Highly Commended
The Hidden Cave
Artist: Joe Green
Price: $2,500
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A captivating little scene that drew my attention. The unique handling of the medium creates countless interesting passages that evoke a sense of life, mystery and depth.
Commended
In Situ
Artist: Xavier Ghazi
Price: $700
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A beautiful portrait, supported by adept draughtsmanship and control of values. The use of soft and hard edges reinforces the focal point while the restrained depiction of eyes creates a level of dramatic tension and mystery.
Finalists
Power to Connect $380
Artist: Trish Bennett
Assignment $360
Artist: Joy Myers Creed
The Group $360
Artist: Joy Myers Creed
Section 4
Abstract Paintings
Prize: $500
Winner
Rarefied Atmosphere
Price: $400
Artist: Terry Lavis
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A unique piece whose framing choice is just as much a part of the work as is the painted subject itself. It allows the eye view ‘through a window’ of sorts and ‘see what they want to see’; it requires interaction in order to reciprocate meaning. For me, this evokes quiet mornings kayaking on the Hawkesbury River at Cattai. A truly wonderful little piece.
Highly Commended
Colour Me
SOLD
Artist: Maria Kapodistrias
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A lively dance of shape and colour. The vibrant flashes of turquoise create movement and complementary contrast, all the while ensuring the eye never wanders too far.
Commended
Mariner’s Flow
Artist: Kym Morris
Price: $210
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A fluid and circular composition guides the viewer around the centre anchor. The cool blues and green create a calming movement punctuated with bursts of bright colour shapes. A lovely little abstract piece.
Finalists
Connections $300
Artist: Jani Nanavati
Farbenfroh $890
Artist: Kurt Koeppl
Break the Algorithm $650
Artist: Waqeea Chaudhry
Section 5
Award for Best Small Painting
Award: $500
Winner
Skip (Witches Hat)
SOLD
Artist: Phil McKay
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A simple subject matter that utilises bold colour shapes to create a composition that elevates the ordinary to the extraordinary. It is a wonderful example of seeing the sublime in places we often overlook.
Highly Commended
In Golden Light
Price: $320
Artist: Patricia Latta
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A well-executed backlit subject. Excellent control of values. The subject’s gaze piercing and engages the viewer immediately. All of this is underpinned by masterful draughtsmanship.
Commended
Night
Price: $250
Artist: Robert Adams
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A beautifully little piece full of softness and light, The contrasting cool and warm colours create the illusion of the disc glowing while the downward gesture of the figure creates a gentle sense of mystery.
Commended
Pittwater Angophora
Price: $220
Artist: Peter Warner
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A magical little landscape that shows a deft understanding of composition, tonal structure and light temperature relationships. The use of the tree and the contrasting warm and cool light on foreground foliage serves to create a circular composition that frames the distant focal point.
Finalists
Happy in the Valley $250
Artist: Trish Bennett
Manly Beach $240
Artist: Dana Sypniewski
SOLD
Shelly Beach in the Dreamtime
Artist: Robert Wale
Section 6
Miniature Paintings
‘Susanne Green’ Award - $500 for Best Miniature Painting
Winner
Ocean Treasures
SOLD
Artist: Heidi Hereth
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A sweet little vignette that contains everything it needs and nothing else, executed with deft and delicate draughtsmanship.
Highly Commended
Good Morning Sunshine
Price: $340
Artist: Annette McCrossin
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
A beautiful depiction of morning light with the cow silhouettes creating the perfect contrast of cool dark with the warm bloom of the rising sun.
Commended
Sunday Golf
Price: $150
Artist: Diana Garth
JUDGE’S COMMENTS:
The use of the high horizon line ensures that the eye stays focused on the subject and understands its importance in the piece. A lovely little composition.
Finalists
Nature’s Window $220
Artist: Trish Bennett
Visitation $400
Artist: Robyn Langford-Brown
Taj Mahal from the River $400
Artist: Terry Lavis
Copyright © 2026 Combined Art Societies of Sydney Inc. All Rights Reserved ABN 81 459 592 277