ARTISTIC talent from across the country was celebrated at the official opening of the 2nd Biennial Anderson Art Award (AAA) at The Gallery in Tea Gardens on Saturday 12 April.
The venue, which is home to the artists known as Galleries in the Garden (GiG), was packed with guests perusing the walls as they enjoyed catering by Sam Anderson of Tea Gardens’ Boathouse.
Entries in this year’s competition range from striking to contemplative and photo-realistic to abstract.
“The Award is a community initiative to recognise and celebrate the arts on the Myall Coast, and acknowledges the magnificent contributions that Rob and Lee Anderson have made,” co-organiser Ian Morphett said.
The Andersons established the waterfront gallery and donate its use to the non-profit community collective.
The AAA has grown in prestige and stature since launching in 2023 and attracts entrants from interstate and regional NSW.
Positive feedback resulted in the prize money increasing to $10,000 – split between the winners and Highly Commended 2D and 3D artists.
“This year we have over 160 works entered, thanks to our generous sponsors,” Galleries President Anne Stuart said.
The sweeping autumn rains abated long enough to hold the announcements of the winners and runners-up outside in the gardens, right after the official opening by State MP Kate Washington.
“The Galleries in the Gardens is a special place, a testament to Lee and Rob,” Ms Washington said.
In introducing guest judge Peter Johnson, lead curator of the Newcastle Art Gallery, Lee spoke of the importance of regional galleries.
“They are a meeting place, and art gives us a voice – it makes a statement.”
Peter then described the 3D Highly Commended recipient, “Caught” by Penny Amberg, as “of elegant form, an organic sense of geometry”.
The 3D Winner was Tracey Bertram’s ceramic “Humidity Garden”, which Peter said “resonated clearly, was speculative and environmentally conscious”.
The 2D Highly Commended piece was “Walk through, you will be delighted” by Sylvia Reczek, who accepted with genuine tears of happiness.
It was described as “vibrant, playful, evocative, [and] captured the joy of playing in the flowers.”
The 2D Winner was “deceptively simple, abstract but with great attention to wide open pastoral spaces” and was Leonie Barton’s ‘Bottom Paddock Past the Fence’.
Originally from Sydney but now a local of Wootton, Leonie said she read about the Anderson Art Award in NOTA.
The AAA Exhibition runs until 11 May.
The Gallery is open 10am – 4pm, except on Tuesday. Entry is free.
By Thomas O’KEEFE
