2004 Glover Prize Results
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 Inaugural John Glover Art Prize 2004 The winner of the inaugural Glover art Prize for a Tasmanian Landscape Painting was Michael McWilliams. 
His acrylic painting titled "Bandicoot on a Log"
impressed the judges with its subtle message of utopia at risk.
In his artist's statement he wrote " This painting is a view from the Fingal Valley looking toward Ben Lomond. It is a comment on what is happening to our natural environment and a reminder of our responsibilities to native animals and the habitats that support them. The bandicoot in the foreground represents the native animals, the fox in the background represents the introduced pests and the clear felled forest in the top right corner represents man's destruction of the natural environment."
The Judges also gave high merit mentions to Stephen Lees for "Another Day South Arm" and Tim Burns for "Judd's Creek Spring". Stephen Lees 
wrote about his painting " The painting submitted depicts Goat Bluff in Storm Bay, east of Hobart. It is an area I have worked in extensively over the last ten years and reside in. My attraction to this peninsula is its chalky, fossil laden cliffs; the tone of dry bone and an arid vegetation often only made by its shadow. And then there is the sea.
The high vantage points also suit my central format concern of attempting to stretch nineteenth-century surfaces over a basically modern armature - without it tearing."
Tim Burns artist's statement describes his work as: " Judds Creek forms the springs and soaks beneath Judds Bluff. It then descends through steep wet schlerophyl forested valleys to join the Huon River, and flow past Bruny Island to the sea. I see, hear, touch and taste it every day." The panel of Judges commented that they were impressed with the professional presentation of the exhibition and the quality of the paintings. Artists from all over Australia including some of the top artists in Australia were represented in the group of 45 finalists. The opening of the exhibition of finalists and the announcement of the winner of the Glover Prize was held in conjunction with a cocktail party for 250 invited guests on the evening of Friday 5th March. The exhibition was opened by Mr Kenneth von Bibra A.M. The exhibition was open for public viewing from Saturday 6th to Monday 8th March from 10am to 4pm each day in the Falls Park Pavilion, Evandale. In excess of 2000 adults visited the exhibition over the subsequent three days. Children were admitted free and a school group was given a private viewing prior to the opening.  Greg Waddles Peoples' Choice Winner was Leoni Duff for her entry "Under the Sidling". This pastel work depicts the lush, wet beauty of the mountain pass "The Sideling" that forms a barrier between the North East of Tasmania and the rest of the state. The announcement was made on the Monday afternoon by the Chairman of The John Glover Society, Stuart Hogarth, who presented Leoni Duff with a cheque for $3,000.00. The judges for the prize were: Max Angus-Artist, David Hanson-Senior Curator of Fine Arts, TMAG, Professor Noel Frankham-Professor of Art and Head of School UTAS and Nevin Hurst-Masterpiece Fine Art Gallery & Antiques Pty Ltd Hobart. Exhibition Coordinator - Jane Deeth-Arts Consultant. Jane is a freelance consultant who is well known in Tasmania for her experience in coordinating many exhibitions of importance in the state. Her creativity and knowledge was invaluable in ensuring that this unique exhibition space and paintings created an atmosphere of dialogue and excitement. The committee was gratified to receive numerous very positive comments on the quality of the works shown, the manner in which they were exhibited and the ambience of the display area. The success of the event was indicated by the fact that the local traders in Evandale had the best weekend that they have ever experienced. This was also reflected by the number of sales from the exhibition. Over 50% of the works that were for sale were sold during the time that they were shown. Media coverage was extensive. "The Examiner" carried articles and photographs related to the prize throughout the week leading up to opening. They also gave good coverage of the exhibition itself as well as reporting on the winning and honourably mentioned entries. Articles were also published by other print media outlets interstate. Reports, interviews and extensive advertisements were also carried by local "Southern Cross" TV, ABC radio and FM radio stations. The committee wish to thank all the entrants for their support and we look forward to the 2005 John Glover Art Prize. Planning has already commenced for next year's competition and details of the entry form will be published on this web site as soon as available. The exhibition of finalists in 2005 will be held again at the same venue in Evandale and during the March long weekend. The John Glover Society Inc. PO Box 129 EVANDALE TAS 7212 |