Ephemera: Seaside Sculptures 2021 Winners

The winner of the 2021 $10,000 Award for Artistic Excellence was Torin Francis for his artwork Way.

Judged by internationally and nationally recognised artists Georgina Humphries, Amanda Parer and Brian Robinson, Way is a site-responsive kinetic installation that explores the intersections of meteorology, technology and spatiotemporal experience.

Way encourages us to reconsider the impact of climate change in North Queensland and the role of technology within a discussion of these themes.

Artists exhibiting in Ephemera 2021 were given the opportunity to compete not only for the Award for Artistic Excellence but also the Ephemera Acquisitive Prize, thanks to funding from the Queensland State Government.

Artwork: Torin Francis, Way

Ephemera Artistic Excellence

Award Winner 2021

Photographer: Andrew Rankin

Judged by a public art selection panel consisting of industry experts and local artists, the $90,000 Acquisitive Prize was awarded to Christopher Trotter for his artwork Foreigner.

Foreigner is inspired by bio-security threats to Australia, including foreign bodies and mutations, as well as invasive life forms such as the Asian tiger mosquito and fire ants. Sustainability is also clearly referenced in this artwork through Trotter’s use of recycled materials. As the winner of the Ephemera Acquisitive Prize, Foreigner has become a permanent sculpture on The Strand, Townsville.

The 2021 People’s Choice Award was proudly supported by wilson/ryan/grose Lawyers.

Members of the public were able to scan QR codes and vote for their favourite artwork online. A total of 1,226 votes were cast, with the $1,000 prize awarded to Tree & Leaf for their artwork Scarewood.

Artwork: Christopher Trotter, Foreigner

Ephemera Acquisitive Award Winner 2021

Photographer: Andrew Rankin

Artwork: Tree & Leaf, Scarewood

Ephemera People’s Choice Award Winner 2021

Photographer: Andrew Rankin

Ephemera visitors were also asked to capture their favourite moments from the exhibition for a chance to win some fantastic prizes, with a Youth Category and an Open Category offered. Entries were made through Instagram by adding the appropriate hashtag either #ephemerayouth (17 years and under) or #ephemeraopen (18 years and over). For those who had private accounts, entries were uploaded through Woobox via the Ephemera website. We had a total of 46 Youth entries, and 259 Open entries! The calibre of entries was outstanding, and we thank every entrant for their superb photos.

Judging the competition was Rob Parsons, a professional photographer based in Townsville with Through the Looking Glass Studio.

The winner of the Youth Category was Kodie Freeman and the winner of the Open Category was Deborah Belcastro, who won a $500 Garricks Camera House voucher and a $1,000 Garricks Camera House voucher, respectively.

Photography: Deborah Belcastro

Ephemera Photographic Competition 18 and Over Winner 2021

Depicted Artwork: Georgina Humphries, Field of Breeze

Photography: Kodie Freeman

Ephemera Photographic Competition under 18

Winner 2021

Depicted Artwork: The Viewing Frames