And the winner is….

Congratulations to Jo Darvall Winner of the $50,000 Collie Art Prize CAP 2023 for her monumental 144 x 192 cm work “Boranup Forest Light”.

“The Boranup forest is a special place which has experienced the devastating impacts of fire and more recently shows more hopeful signs of regeneration. This work comes from time I have spent working in the forest directly recording my observations and feelings. My relationship with this place is reflected through the work of listening, responding and interpreting these experiences through painting. Creating work that responds to places like these is a way of expressing aspects of my identity.”

What the judges said

The judges agreed unanimously that the regional significance of the subject matter and its importance to the people of the South West of WA, as well as the artist’s acute power of observation in attending to the subtleties within this subject matter, made this the outstanding work. The spiritual and environmental connection to this significant part of the world that many of us have, has been teased out by the artist here, with compelling sensitivity. The soft palette lures the viewer in, allowing the range of blues and greens to emerge gradually as you keep looking, creating a depth that keeps drawing you in. There is also a sadness that is delicately balanced with a palpable sense of resilience in this emotional depiction of a forest, a calm before the fiery storm that has been an increasing feature of this part of the world over the last few years. The judges congratulate Jo Darvall for winning the Collie Prize with the work Boranup Forest Light.

Photography by John Bylund

Other winners

Congratulations to the winners of the two Rotary Club of Collie prizes of $5000 each plus the opportunity to have an exhibition at the gallery valued at $1250, were awarded to

Rotary Club of Collie Prize I  –  Lorraine Defleur for “Constructive Dreamscapes”.

Rotary Club of Collie Prize   II  – Emi Ninoseki for “Umi 21

Winner of the $5,000 South 32 Best Artwork by a WA Artist, supported by Jacksons Drawing Supplies, was Stef Rae for “Back in This Place”.$1000  Pollies’ Packer’s Prize was awarded Khashayar Salmanzadeh for “Self and Nurture”. Supported by Jodie Hanns MLA and Dr Steve Thomas, MLC.

The People’s Choice award will be drawn after the closing of the exhibition on April 30.

The Collie Art Prize Exhibition is open 10-4 daily until April 30.  Come and place your People’s Choice Vote.  Admission $5, Children under 14 FREE.

Thank you to our valued CAP23 partners

Major Partners

Community Bank Collie -Bendigo Bank • South West Development Commission • Rotary Club of Collie • South 32 • Synergy• Coal Miners Welfare Board • Whispering Pines B & B • Gumfire Marketing

Platinum 

Renergi • International Graphite • Jodie Hanns MLA • Dr Steve Thomas MLC

Gold

Harris River Estate • Brew 42 • Collie River Valley Tourist Park • Central Garage • Collie River Dental Centre • Jacksons Drawing Supplies

Silver

Betta Home Living • Tosca’s Boutique • Ian Guppy Smash Repairs • Tyrepower • Unity Bank • Chook Scraps • Collie Salvage & Hardware • Piavanini Welding • Mystical Presents • Collie Motel • Victoria Hotel

Bronze

Collie Motel • Under The Sun • Wagon 537 • Collie Florist • Cheeky Squirrel • Henderson Hardware • Collie Garden Centre • Peters Menswear shop • Deanna’s Hairdresser • Little Blue Door • Joinrite Cabinets • Southwest Canvas Works