RASart Exhibition of Excellence draws strong field

An oil painting capturing the qualities of plein air painting has been judged the overall winner of this year’s RASart Exhibition of Excellence.

From a field of almost 70 entries, judge Dr Christine Kirkegard chose Middle Dam by Julie Purcell as the winner.

“Brushstrokes present a shorthand for many of the important  qualities of the landscape plein air - differences in depth of field, directional  contour, scale, colour and tonal nuance,” Dr Kirkegard says. 

“Interludes of void in the exposed painting ground and patterns of sky allow each mark a space for contemplation and seem  to either spatially project or recede, punctuating the canvas finally in a central shock - the rectangular window which cuts the canvas.”

Other prizes

Anne-Louise Ciel’s Rocky Mountain Way won the Mayor’s Choice Award, as judged by Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Peter Flannery.

Heather Delaney won second prize overall with Singing to Tibrogargan, which Dr Kirkegard says demonstrates knowledge and technical understanding of the potential of the water colour medium.

Third prize overall was awarded to Jamie Congdon, for Lockdown 2.

Art Society vice president Deb Darke says the exhibition has a long and respected history dating back to its inception.

Respected history

“It’s been going since 1957 and formed the basis of Moreton Bay Regional Council’s collection – the likes of Margaret Olley have won it,” Deb says.

“The judges always say they’re impressed by the overall standard of the work.”

Redcliffe Art Society president Janice Charlish says the People’s Choice award always proves popular with visitors to the exhibition.

“We get a huge response – easily 1000 votes,” Janice says.

The Exhibition of Excellence is on at the Redcliffe Art Gallery until July 24. The gallery is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm.

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