Capture Fairfield 2021 Artwork by Dalin Shamonka, Fairfield Altarpiece 2020
Published October 2021 Fairfield City Council 2
Welcome to the Fairfield City Capture Fairfield Visual Arts and Photography Competition Book Fairfield City Council’s 2021 Capture Fairfield Visual Arts & Photography Competition saw 98 visual art and 294 photograph submissions entered, whereby entrants showed off their creative talents in capturing the essence of our City. This year’s theme of ‘Love Where You Live’ attracted entries from artists and photographers in the primary, secondary and adult categories, of the landscapes, experiences and attractions unique to Fairfield City.
The following pages showcase many of the 2021 Capture Fairfield Visual Arts & Photography Competition entries including the winning and highly commended works. Thank you to everyone who entered the competition and congratulations to our winners. We have enjoyed exploring Fairfield City through your eyes and look forward to next year’s submissions.
Judges made their selection based on the skill and strong visual appeal of the works submitted. The judging panel included Fairfield City Mayor Frank Carbone, Councillor Sera Yilmaz, Diane Yousouf who was our adult first place winner in the 2020 Capture Fairfield competition, Council’s Fairfield City Museum & Gallery Coordinator, and Manager Communications and Marketing.
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Message from the Mayor The 2021 Capture Fairfield Visual Arts & Photography Competition presented participants with the opportunity to visually interpret the ‘Love where you live’ theme during a transformative time in our City’s history. COVID-19 continues to have an ongoing impact on our community, with this year in particular proving that times of hardship reinforce our incredibly strong sense of community, that’s what our City is all about. The calibre of works was impressive and I would like to thank everyone who took the time to enter. As I look through each submission, I feel great pride for our City and the resilience of its people. I hope you make the time to visit the exhibitions at Fairfield City Council Administration Centre and Whitlam Library Cabramatta and get inspired to enter next year.
Frank Carbone Mayor of Fairfield
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Message from the City Manager Council has thoroughly enjoyed seeing the calibre of our City’s creative talent captured in the 2021 Capture Fairfield Visual Arts & Photography Competition submissions. Year after year we are overwhelmed with the growing interest and response to the competition, with both this year and last capturing the creative interpretations of residents in the face of a global pandemic, a unique time in the history of our City. I would like to congratulate everyone who submitted their works, which clearly reflect the diversity of our people and City. I look forward to seeing more fantastic works next year.
Alan Young City Manager
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Visual Arts Adult
1st First Prize
Louise DeMarco Jelavic, Adult category ‘Bossley Park Choir’, painting It was on one of my early morning walks during COVID lock down that I came across three magpies sitting on a sign post, that became my inspiration for this painting. The fauna population and the wide variety of birds in the local Fairfield area has certainly flourished in the last couple of years. At other times I only need to look in my own backyard for inspiration, because of the amount of bird life that comes to play among the bushes and trees. I was born in Malta. While in my teens my family migrated to Australia and settled in Fairfield area. I attended Wetherill Park TAFE, where I obtained a certificate in Office Studies and an advance certificate in Fashion. For many years I worked as customer officer at a Motor Registry until I resigned to take care of my young family. In the last 16 years I have been pursuing my interest in art. Painting in my little backyard studio and regularly exhibiting in group exhibitions.
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2nd Second Prize
Jessica, Adult category ‘A Shared Home’, digital artwork
Ten critically endangered native birds, gathering under a local fig. Although coming from different parts of the country, they have a home here, each day and night. This piece represents the diversity and multiculturalism of all who call Fairfield city home. United by commonality, celebrating our differences. I was blessed to have had the privilege of growing up in Fairfield city and such a multicultural society. It has made me who I am today and my art attempts to express this.
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3rd Third Prize
Diane Yousouf, Adult category ‘Lansdowne Bridge’, painting
The historic Lansdowne Bridge was opened in January 1836. The warm tones of the sunlight sandstone contrast beautifully with the cool tones in the foliage and the waters of Prospect Creek. I chose to paint the Lansdowne Bridge because it is a fabulous landmark in the Fairfield area. I am a visual artist who works in a variety of mediums. My subjects include the built environment and the natural world. I have developed my art practice by attending classes and workshops with established artists. I am fortunate to have a supportive family who encourage me to participate in art activities. So I have been living in the Fairfield area for many years and am proud to be a part of the Fairfield community. 9
Visual Arts Secondary 1st First Prize
George Alkhoury, Bossley Park High School ‘Share a story, Share a meal’, pencil on paper Welcome to my dining table to share a story and share a meal. I have created this drawing to show the cultural diversity of the Fairfield area, depicted by a table in the shape of the map of Fairfield. The table is full of delicious cuisines from all the cultures that make Fairfield the wonderful and unique place it is. I have placed many chairs around the table as an invitation to anyone from any culture to come and share a meal and a story. My name is George Alkhoury and I am a 16 year old student attending Bossley Park High School, year 10. I am a refugee from Syria and I have lived in Australia for about 3 years and a half. My favourite hobby is art. I like to draw and paint. My artwork is also to say thank you, for welcoming people like me, a refugee into the community of Fairfield.
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2nd
Second Prize
Lauren Alzamora, Mary MacKillop Catholic College ‘Saturday Morning Memories’, digital artwork
My artwork captures my precious memories from childhood, wandering Fairfield Showground with my dad and sister. Every Saturday morning, we would wake up early and explore the market stalls together. As a child, the Showground was a magical wonderland, somewhere I looked forward to going every week. I attempted to capture this sense of magic and wonder about the place in my artwork, in order convey my own memories and childhood love of Fairfield. Hello! My name is Lauren Alzamora, and I am a year 11 student at Mary MacKillop Catholic College. I am an aspiring artist who loves her pets endlessly as well as my amazing family, grandparents, and friends. 12
3rd
Third Prize
Silaar Gorbthum, Freeman Catholic College ‘A Little Drop of Happiness’, painting Happiness does not necessarily have to come from something big. Of course, getting your dream job or winning a basketball game can make you extremely happy. However, some people do not realise that there are those little things that can glow your day. Small actions, small words, small events. But as for me, walking through my neighbourhood and seeing the beauty of Fairfield City is my little happiness. How about you try looking out your window, maybe you can see the little happiness I see. Oil painting is my new favourite thing now and I like taking challenges on each of my artworks. 13
Visual Arts Primary
1st First Prize
Jade Truong, St Johns Park Public School ‘Looking through the glass to see Fairfield’, painting My artwork is me trying out bright and vivid colours. I want to bring back many memories from my childhood, such as going to parks in Fairfield, lonely swings and the grassy lanes. I am in year 6 and I am introverted. I usually like to use dark colours in my artwork to express my feelings.
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2nd
Second Prize
Francesco Occhiuto, King Park Public School ‘Community of Cultures’, painting The trees in my artwork represents the different cultures that stand together in our community. I am a Year 4 student who loves visual arts.
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3rd
Third Prize
Anna Tea, St Johns Park Primary School ‘Fairfield art’, painting This is our local park in Fairfield. I am in year 6 and I love art.
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Janet Nguyen, Adult category ‘Food, Friends and Family’, painting
What I love most about Fairfield is the food, friends and family. I hope to capture this in these paintings. Some of my favourite things revolve around this city I call home. On any given day, you may find me catching up with friends over a bowl of Pho. Walking with my husband and my best friend around the local park to enjoy the sunshine. And as my friends grow their families in Fairfield, I look forward to growing my own here one day. 18
Bing Liu, Adult category ‘A Bite of Fairfield’, painting Fairfield is one of the most successful multicultural societies in Australia. Here we absorb people from different cultures, different faiths and different nations. 7 years ago, I settled down in Fairfield. I started to explore this area and try different types of food. The inspiration of this artwork is my favourite food, Vietnamese Pork Roll and Pho. I love this place, and enjoy this cultural diversity here.
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Melvy Connell, Adult category ‘Cowpasture Road, Abbotsbury’, watercolour Cowpasture road is a long road that runs through Liverpool and Fairfield. I like this part of Cowpasture Road because of the tall green trees that contrast against the patterned orange walls. It reflects the style and colours of this modern time. 20
Svetlana Panov, Adult category ‘Mushrooms Galore’, ceramic sculpture I find great joy in creating mushroom sculptures, so when I’m out and about in my local area, I constantly look down to see if there are any mushrooms about. I photograph them to use later, as inspiration for my sculptures. 21
Tomi Lawrens, Adult category ‘My Home In The Mountains’, oil pastel crayons The name I gave this painting is “My Home in the Mountains”. I chose this name because one day I would like to go back to Iraq and visit the mountains and see my home again.
Nahrain Yonan, Adult category ‘Village’, oil pastel crayons The name I gave this painting is “Village”. I chose this name because it reminded me of when I was a child. I am happy because I like this place. 22
Thaira Hanna, Adult category ‘Cross Out Of Nails And String’, handcraft
Dalin Shamonka, Adult category ‘The Unique Stories Of Fairfield’, digital artwork Through my digital illustrations, I reflect on the beautiful experiences of real-life individuals.
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Nicole Yousif, Freeman Catholic College ‘1,056,006’, painting
Stephanie Truong, Cabramatta High School ‘Through my eyes’, painting
After travelling to places like Turkey, Greece and Jordan, my older brother and parents had undergone the extremes of being a refugee, even being arrested and spending nights in a prison cell.
My artwork highlights the magical sunsets in my home town that never fail to fascinate me, every time I see a sunset I stop to watch the amazing colours spread across the sky, filling me with bubbling happiness and making me smile uncontrollably. Through my eyes, the thousand glowing embers are what makes me love where I live.
After years, they had finally found a place to call home and arrived in Sydney in 1998. A happy and hopeful family, seated in front of the Opera House of 1,056,006 tiles, 23 years later, they have no doubts and truly ‘Love Where They Live’, in the city that gave them a second chance.
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Razeena Issa, Irfan College ‘Love, Compassion and Unity’, painting
Rinya Bekana, Bossley Park High School ‘Fairfield Family’, coloured pencils
The artwork symbolises unity in community with acknowledgment of the traditional custodians of the land.
My artwork is about family, people dancing in different cultures with cultural flags in the background.
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Kathleen Phan, St Johns Park Primary School ‘Fairfield is a beautiful place’, painting My artwork is about how I love parks because I love walking and seeing nature.
Chantell Nguyen, St Johns Park Primary School ‘Chinese culture in Fairfield’, painting This represents my culture in Fairfield.
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Oswell Ly, St Johns Park Public School ‘Love Where You Live’, painting My artwork resembles Fairfield in the future where it has lots of motorways and is very busy.
Lily Bui, Cabramatta Public School ‘Friendship Arch’, painting This is a painting of the Friendship Arch in Cabramatta. 27
Tomala Evela, King Park Public School ‘Enjoy the bright side of life’, mixed media
Georgia Gemmell, King Park Public School ‘Seasons’, painting
This artwork shows how my community makes me feel.
My artwork shows my love for the different weather that I am grateful enough to experience in the place that I live. 28
Anthony Alsedi, King Park Public School ‘Tree of Life’, mixed media This artwork represents the different cultures in my community coming together creating a space where I love to live.
Kaliyannei Poch, St Johns Park Public School ‘Fairfield is my future’, painting My painting reflects the future of Fairfield the next mini-city. 29
Isabella Shaw, King Park Public School ‘Celebrating Diversity’, water colour My family comes from a mix of different countries and cultural backgrounds. I created this artwork because I wanted to show that Fairfield is a very diverse city with many different cultures. Fairfield has many different sites and monuments. I feel that I can see the whole world in just one city, which is what makes Fairfield special and interesting.
Lillian Do, Bonnyrigg Heights Primary School ‘Heart of Cabramatta’, water colour I wanted to capture the essence of Cabramatta with some of my favourite landmarks. The ‘Torii’ inspired archway lies in the heart of Cabramatta, accompanied by the 3 animal statues on the side. The dragon dancers have always inspired me, with their cool music and dancing.
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Selina Huynh, St Johns Park Primary School Painting I like to blend dark colours with bright colours to portray the effect of contrasting colours.
Joulian Alkhoury, Fairfield Heights Primary School ‘The Street of Unity’, coloured pencils My artwork is about a multicultural street. I have represented unity through the bright colours and the buildings that have the word “Welcome” in different languages and also through the slices of the pizza. The toppings are mixed together, they did not choose to be together but they are and they seem happy. 31
Isabella Marin, King Park Public School ‘Fairfield, Our City’, water colour
Hilary Hoang, St Johns Park Public School ‘The sunset at my school’, painting
Lilah Radisic, Edensor Park Public School ‘Moonlight fun at Lizard Log’, sketch
This artwork depicts Fairfield, my city and its significance for me. Fairfield Chase is a place I frequently visit and have grown up going to.
The artwork is me looking at the school at night.
This is what I imagine my favourite slide at Lizard Log would look like under the moonlit sky. This is my favourite playground to visit on a weekend bike ride with my family.
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Thea Huang, Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School ‘What a colourful world’, mixed media
Ivy-Rose Correia, St Johns Park Public School ‘Love Where You Live, painting
This artwork shows our beautiful colorful place near my lovely school.
My artwork resembles my school where all my friends are.
Yonita Azeez, Smithfield Public School ‘Love Where You Live’, digital artwork
Layal Jabakhangi, King Park Public School ‘Bee Kind’, mixed media
I love how the sunset looks in Smithfield.
My artwork represents kindness, I used a bee to show how my community shows kindness like bees.
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Photography
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This year’s submissions demonstrated how much Fairfield residents love the natural and built environments of the city where they live.
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Adult
Capture Fairfield Judge
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1st First Prize
Viraphong Phomphithak, Adult category ‘Cinematic Cabramatta’ Cabramatta 35
2nd
Second Prize
Andy Tan, Adult category ‘See you at the finish line’ Powhatan Park, Greenfield Park
3rd Third Prize
Jason Ghaby, Adult category ‘Solice’ Bossley Park 36
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Social and Cultural Development Officer Fairfield City Council
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We know that Fairfield residents are proud to belong to a diverse multicultural community.
Highly Commended
Phuong Tin Chau, Adult category ‘Rainy Nights’ Pai Lau Gate, Cabramatta 38
Highly Commended Loc Nguyen, Adult category ‘Everyday’ Dutton Lane, Cabramatta
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Photography Secondary
The submissions were successful in capturing the diversity and colour in our City. Capture Fairfield Judge
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1st First Prize
Natalia Blake, Bonnyrigg High School ‘Fantastic Fireworks’ Fairfield Easter Fair, Fairfield Showground 41
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Through the eyes of Capture Fairfield we can see the true beauty of our vibrant places. Cabramatta Place Manager Fairfield City Council
2nd
Second Prize
Yesim Halisdemir, Prairiewood High School ‘Luminous’ Cumberland Hwy, Canley Heights
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3rd
Third Prize
Zayne Lobow Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield ‘The Lone Butterfly’ Fairfield
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Highly Commended
Natasha Wood, Bossley Park High School ‘Glorious Grazer’ Calmsley Hill City Farm Abbotsbury
Highly Commended
Grace Dinh, Fairvale High School ‘Walking to school in winter’ Avery Park, Fairfield West 44
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Primary
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The photography competition has encouraged local students to explore natural wonders in their community and get creative behind the lens. Natural Resource Officer Fairfield City Council
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Photography
1st First Prize
Jessica Blake, Edensor Park Public School ‘Celebrating the outdoors’ Brenan Park, Smithfield
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2nd
Second Prize
Ivy Barone, Marion Catholic Primary School ‘Hazard Reduction Sunset’ Horsley Park
3rd
Third Prize
Emma Dimarzio, Bossley Park Public School ‘Rays of Hope’ Wetherill Park
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Highly Commended
Rheanna Dott, Bossley Park Public School ‘Nature is full of bright creatures’ Bossley Park
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Highly Commended
Rosie Dowd, Bossley Park Public School ‘Winters Chill’ Bossley Park
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Viraphong Phomphithak, Adult category ‘This is not Abbey Road there is no fourth monk’ Cabramatta
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Thi Kim Ngoc Tieu, Adult category ‘On the way back’ The Crescent Plaza, Fairfield
Matthew Russell, Adult category ‘Love a Fairfield Sunset’ Fairfield
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Simon Bui, Adult category ‘I love where I live!’ Condello Crescent, Edensor Park
Loretta Galaea, Adult category ‘Connected’ Local farm at Horsley Park
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Alex Benetel, Adult category ‘A drop of mother nature’ Bossley Park 55
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Through the eyes of Capture Fairfield we can see the true beauty of our vibrant places. Cabramatta Place Manager Fairfield City Council
Jimmy Tran, Adult category ‘Pigeons of Cabramatta’ Cabramatta
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Thi Kim Ngoc Tieu, Adult category ‘I love my city’ Fairfield Station
Phuoc Thanh Tran, Adult category ‘Capoeira Topazio Dance’ Culinary Carnival 2021, Fairfield
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Viraphong Phomphithak, Adult category ‘Coffee Time’ Cabramatta
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Stephanie Kacprazk, Adult “Neon Cuckoo Bee” - Prairiewood Andy Tan, Adult category ‘Midnight Bike Run’ Bridge over Cowpasture Road
Monique Wood, Adult “Discovering Abbotsbury and Calmsley Hill ” - Abbotsbury
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Simon Bui, Adult category ‘Super blood moon Fairfield edition’ 60 Edensor Park
Jessica Ngo, Adult category ‘Immigrant recipes with an Aussie twist’ A backyard in Canley Vale
Sophia Darious, Bossley Park Public School ‘Drops of nature’ Bossley Park
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Andy Tan, Adult category ‘Skate towards the light’ Hornet Park, Greenfield Park John Lodge, Adult “Backyard Paradise” - Wetherill Park Nature Reserve
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Sonya Thompson, Adult category ‘Sunshine smiles’ Carramar Station Bridge
Patricia Moshi, Adult category ‘Suspenseful sunset’ Fairfield Park 63
Cecilia Blake, Adult category ‘Sunset at Bonnyrigg’ Bonnyrigg Park
Alex Benetel, Adult category ‘Hazy Dreamland’ Western Sydney Parklands 64
Imeelya Jameel, Bossley Park Public School ‘Angels have landed’ Bossley Park
Leyla Celik, Bossley Park Public School ‘Sunny Sunrise’ Bossley Park 65
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The submissions were successful in capturing the diversity and colour in our City. Capture Fairfield Judge
Seda Guler, Bossley Park High School ‘Autumn Leaves’ Bossley Park 66
Sophie Ky, Adult category ‘Breathin’ at the back’ Fairfield West
Lucas De Cillis, Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield ‘The story of Fairfield City’ The Crescent Plaza, Fairfield 67
Emma Dimarzio, Bossley Park Public School ‘Healthy body, healthy mind’ Marconi Tennis, Bossley Park
Thy Tran, Old Guildford Public School ‘Love where you grow’ Old Guildford
Jessica Blake, Category ‘Sk8tboarding @ Bonnyrigg’ Bonnyrigg Skate Park 68
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The Capture Fairfield book gives the community the opportunity to shine through the eyes of individuals as they explore the hidden natural beauty of Fairfield City’s indigenous flora and fauna.
Zayne Loboq, Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield ‘The curious cockatoo’ Wetherill Park
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Bush Care Officer Fairfield City Council
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Ali Mousawi, Old Guildford Public School ‘Afternoon Feed’ Old Guildford
Natasha Wood, Bossley Park High School ‘Eye Love’ Calmsley Hill City Farm, Abbotsbury 71
Dan Vuong, Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield ‘Other Building’ Fairfield Youth and Community Centre, Fairfield
Joanna Gallo, Secondary “Best Friend” - Wetherill Park
Ryan Ngo, Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield ‘Fairfield City photo’ Honour Avenue, Fairfield 72
Yoneel Denha, Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield ‘The Youth Centre’ Fairfield Youth and Community Centre
Onel Qaqos, Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield ‘The caged bridge’ Smithfield 73
Sophia Fang, Bossley Park Public School ‘The dark world deceived me’ Bossley Park
Layla Rose Moshi, Bossley Park Public School ‘Thriller 180 degrees’ Fairfield Easter Fair, Fairfield Showground 74
Joanna Gallo, Adult category ‘The purpose of art is to stop time’ Fairfield City Museum and Gallery, Smithfield
Adam Cowell-brough, Secondary student ‘The lost souls’ Canley Vale Train Station 75
Thi Kim Ngoc Tieu, Adult category ‘Happy Notes’ Cabramatta
Max Mason, Adult category ‘Close up at feeding’ Fairfield City Museum and Gallery, Smithfield 76
Cecilia Blake, Adult category ‘The fog won’t stop me’ Bosnjak Park, Edensor Park
Trinh Ngo, Adult category ‘Fairfield Park’ Canley Vale 77
Simon Bui, Adult category ‘The next generation’ Clear Paddock Basin, Bonnyrigg
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Rian Gardoce, Patrician Brothers’ College Fairfield ‘Overtime’ Carramar
Adam Cowell-Brough, Secondary student ‘Flames in the sky’ Wakeley 79
Thanh Le, Adult category ‘Paperbark Tree’ Fairfield Adventure Park
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Fairfield City Council would like to thank the 2021 Capture Fairfield Visual Arts & Photography Competition entrants. We hope this year’s talent inspires you to capture the beauty of our City in 2022.
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Entries from this competition will form a pictorial history of our current heritage that will be preserved for future generations.
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Heritage Librarian Fairfield City Council
Chipping Norton Lake Lansvale
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