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Aboriginal art awards showcase artistic talent
supplied by Fair Trading 15 June 2014
F
air Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe is encouraging the local community to visit Gosford Regional Gallery for the Reconciliation 2014 Art Competition exhibition, which is featuring until 13 July. Kariong artist Garry Purchase was awarded first prize in the Tony Donovan category of the awards. Mr Purchase received the $3,500 award sponsored by NSW Fair Trading for his painting One Nation. Other winners included Marcia Staples (Open Indigenous), Karen Williams (Non-Indigenous), Nathan Elliot (Indigenous Youth) and a range of local primary and high schools for collaborative works, sharing in a prize pool worth more than $12,000. Commissioner Stowe said the works on display demonstrated the extraordinary level of talent that existed on the Central Coast. “More than 100 entries were received with high-quality and imaginative works submitted from the Aboriginal and wider community,” he said. “This exhibition marks the 15th year of these awards, providing an opportunity for Aboriginal artists to gain recognition for their talents and exposure that can only enhance their opportunity to pursue their dreams. “I congratulate all the
participants, from professional and established artists to primary school students, for their contribution.” Formerly known as the Central Coast Aboriginal Artists Art Competition, this event has been a highlight of Reconciliation Week since 2000. The theme of this year’s Reconciliation Week was ‘Let’s walk the talk’ and had a particular focus on the constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The week commemorated the gains made for Indigenous rights and reconciliation throughout Australia’s history and provided an opportunity to raise awareness of the work that still needs to be done. Apart from being a major sponsor of the art awards, Fair Trading marked Reconciliation Week by inviting local Aboriginal community members to Fair Trading centres in Wollongong and Queanbeyan to discuss reconciliation.
Kariong artist Garry Purchase was awarded first prize in the Tony Donovan category of the awards. Image supplied
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