Central coast art winners

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CENTRAL COAST’S WEALTH OF TALENT ON DISPLAY

by Tim Potter

M

inister for Fair Trading, Anthony Roberts, has praised the extraordinary level of talent on display in NSW Fair Trading’s 2013 Central Coast Aboriginal Artists Art Competition.

Mr Roberts presented more than 20 awards across 10 categories to winning artists at the Gosford Regional Gallery today. The works will be on exhibition until 14 July.

“What began in 1999 as an awareness-raising exercise among NSW Fair Trading staff and customers has grown into a major Aboriginal art and cultural event today,” he said.

Member for Gosford, Chris Holstein, said the high standard of competition would benefit the entire Central Coast community by promoting a better understanding of

Open Indigenous Award - First prize - Minister Anthony Roberts, Wendy Pawley, Chris Holstein, Member for Gosford

Aboriginal culture and heritage.

“This exhibition provides an opportunity for Aboriginal artists to gain recognition of their talents and an exposure that can only enhance their opportunity to pursue their dreams,” he said.

“These artists are the people who will carry the traditions and culture of the local Aboriginal community into the future.”

A major cultural event of Reconciliation Week, the Central Coast Aboriginal Artists Art Exhibition and Competition is now in its 14th year and features artists ranging from school children to professionals.

In addition to the art competition, the event offers a range of cultural activities including an Indigenous arts and craft market with music, dancing, a barbeque and market

stalls.

Mr Roberts said the success of the event was reflected in the number of organisations that now use it to open communication links to the Aboriginal community.

“We now have a prize pool of $15,000, thanks to the enormous support the competition enjoys from the community.

“I congratulate all the winners on their extraordinary achievements and look forward to following their future careers.”

Sponsors for the event include: NSW Fair Trading, University of Newcastle, NSW Department of Education, Nunyara Aboriginal Health, NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, Phoenix Library Services, Central Coast Community College, WorkCover, Housing NSW, Gibalee Aboriginal Page 1

Learning Centre, Central Coast Grammar School, Gosford City Council and Gosford Regional Gallery.

The winners Winners of the 2013 Central Coast Aboriginal Artists Art Competition: AWARD ARTIST and WORK Tony Donovan Award First prize $3,500: Brett Parker – Reconciliation Issues Second prize $1,000: Wendy Pawley – Reconciliation Five years on Open Indigenous Award First prize $2,000: Wendy Pawley – Australis Terra Nullius Second prize $1,000: Vickie Purvis – Reaching Out Open Non-Indigenous Award First prize $1,500: Peter Baka – Reconciliation Second prize $500: Pim Sarti – Our Shared Land Collaborative Award $950 Chris Kolugi and Isaac Warner – Breakthrough Frank Baxter Award First Prize $750: Artist’s name withheld – Goannas Second Prize $250: Artist’s name withheld – Dolphins Indigenous Youth Award First prize $750: Tiamah-Lee Dean – Aboriginal Elder Second prize $250: Taylor Reid – Colour Bomb Indigenous School Project Year 7-12

Tiamah-Lee Dean and her first prize art work ‘Aboriginal Elder’ - Indigenous Youth Award category

First prize $750: Northlakes High School – Unity Highly Commended $250 & book pack: Narara Valley High School – The Meeting Place Indigenous School Project Year K-6 First prize $550: Bluehaven Public School – Bluehaven Dreaming Commended – book pack: Wyong Grove Public School – Walk Together, Talk Together Collaborative School Project Year 7-12 First prize $750: Tuggerah Lakes Secondary School (Berkeley Vale

campus) – Face of Unity Commended – book pack: Wadalba Community School – Living Together Collaborative School Project Year K-6 First prize $500: Gwandalan Public School – Stitches of Time Highly commended $250 & book pack: Mannering Park Public School – In Harmony, Removal, Unity, Judgement Commended – book pack: Holy Cross Catholic School, Kincumber - Reconciliation Commended – book pack: Nicole de Mestre, Brooke Avenue - Pieced Together

Minister Roberts (centre) with Central Coast Aboriginal Artists Art Competition prize winners