Post by Julie Petersen · Fri 29 Jul 2011 · Art Prizes
Kerrie Lester wins the 2011 Mosman Art Prize
Artist Kerrie Lester has won the major Mosman Council Art Prize of $30,000 with her whimsical painting of white birds in a tree titled Out on a limb.
Mosman artist Kerrie Lester is the first female painter to win the Mosman Art Prize since Lucy Culliton received the award in 2000. Women artists have long had an association with the Prize as entrants, winners and judges. This year the Prize holds a special significance with the passing of the first Mosman Art Prize winner of 1947, the renowned Australian artist Margaret Olley. The Mosman Art Gallery was honoured to have Margaret Olley as a judge of the Prize in 2009 and she later attended the opening of the 60 year retrospective of the Mosman Art Prize Controversy and Acclaim in November of that year.
The Mosman Art Prize is now celebrating its 64th year. 800 entries were received and judge Reg Richardson AM, art patron, collector and benefactor selected over 100 for exhibition.
Judge’s Report
The first Mosman Art Prize was won by Margaret Olley in 1947 and the judge then was Lloyd Rees and the prize money was 20 guineas. 24 years later the much revered Rees won in the category ‘other medium’.
Lloyd Rees was again the judge in 1954 and made the following observation: It is likely that the present Mosman Art Collection will form the basis of an important Gallery in years to come, it seems important that some abstract painting be included. how prescient and it was 57 years ago.
This year the prize money has been increased to $30,000 which now makes the Mosman Art Prize a very significant one.
In 2011, the overall standard of the entries has been high with some excellent works submitted. When deciding which works to hang, I have tried to include a broad range of styles so that most people visiting have a rewarding experience.
Some very well known artists have entered this year, including those who have won major prizes elsewhere, and the quality of the work of these artists and their peers has given a richness to the hang.
The 2011 Mosman Art Prize winner is Kerrie Lester with her work Out on a Limb, featuring birds perched on a limb of a tree.
It has been done in her typical style: quirky, warm and one of a kind. Her style is easily identifiable and after more than 30 years of art practice, she is an important Australian artist.
Kerrie Lester has been a long time resident of Mosman. She is the first resident to win the open award since Nancy Borlase 50 years ago.
The Highly Commended Prize was awarded to Guy Maestri for his landscape Robertson #V. Guy has already made an impact on the artistic scene with his 2009 Archibald Prize winning painting of Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu.
Winner of the Young Emerging Artist Award is Christopher Horder whose work Herbst is a mix of colour, technique and Asian influences with a seemingly deliberate ambiguity.
Winner of the Allan Gamble Award for the built environment is Peter O’Doherty with his work Apollo Bay weatherboard. O’Doherty a well known artist whose work is already in the Mosman Art Gallery’s collection, won this prize in 2007.
I hope that you enjoy the 2011 Mosman Art Prize.
Reg Richardson AM
Judge
View the exhibition
The 2011 Mosman Art Prize is on display from Saturday 30 July – Sunday 4 September. Many of the works are for sale, and you have an opportunity to vote for the People’s Choice.
A free guided tour will be presented at 11am on Saturday 6 August, and you have an opportunity to hear from the winning artists on Sunday 14 August.
