The 2023 Art of Sydney Exhibition was held from
Friday 24th March to Sunday 26th March.

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   

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