Last Friday September 27 at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery the launch of the Calleen Art Award took place infront of a packed house. The night, which always one of the more popular on the calendar included the opening by Jenni Fagan, Calleen Trustee as well as the announcement of the winner of the 2024 award by the award judge Richard Perram OAM. The winner was Amanda Penrose Hart for her spectacular piece 'Shepherd's Lookout'. Outgoing Gallery director, Brian Langer was rapt with the turnout and marveled at the quality of works. "The Calleen Art Award is an acquisitive painting prize established in 1977 by Cowra art patron Patricia Fagan OAM to encourage originality, creativity and excellence in the visual arts," said Brian. "Since its early beginnings the award has developed into a renowned art prize open to Australian Artists (over 18 years). "This year’s winning artist Amanda Penrose Hart received a cash prize of $30,000 and the winning artwork will join the Calleen Collection at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery." The Calleen Art Award 2024 features 48 artworks by leading and emerging Australian artists selected from 254 entries by a panel of art professionals. The exhibition showcases a diverse collection of visually compelling, thoughtful and engaging paintings from landscape, still life and portraiture in a range of painting styles. “In painting there is a stillness. I try and go lightly over the landscape - I try to not leave a mark or a footprint I don't want anyone to know I was there. You can't catch a cloud, although I try to in a painting. You can’t see heat, but I try and paint it. You can’t see wind, but I try and show it. Ahhh it’s a never-ending challenge - to paint what you can't see," Amanda Penrose Hart said in her artist statement in the exhibition catalogue. Judge Richard Perram OAM's comments aptly summarised what many thought. "Judging an art prize is always an exciting thing to do. From the initial culling of the 254 entries from digital slides (in this year’s Calleen Art Award), to the final judging when you meet the 48 shortlisted works in the flesh for the first time, is an experience which I totally enjoy. Being asked by Brian Langer (Director, Cowra Regional Art Gallery) to undertake this role was accepted with great pleasure," Perram said. "The final shortlisted works is made up of artists whose work I know so well to my discovering new artists whose work excites me, it is always a great experience. The Calleen Art Award, worth $30,000, is one of the most prestigious acquisitive art awards in regional Australia and is open to anyone over 18 from anywhere in Australia, as such it is totally democratic. This democracy sees every kind of genre included, landscape, still life, abstract and non-representational. “Amanda Penrose Hart is one of Australia’s most successful and senior plein air painters, having exhibited for over 30 years. Her art practice concentrates on the landscape in the Sofala, Cowra and Canberra region. This work “Shepherd’s Lookout” 2023 is based on the landscape at the back of Canberra in the Brindabellas, only 10 minutes from Canberra. It captures exquisitely this pristine and untouched area. Amanda was initially drawn to this landscape as it was where the great Australian artist Rosalie Gascoigne, who lived at nearby Stromlo, sourced many of the materials for her works. As such Amanda has an affinity with this artist and the landscape”. Richard Perram OAM. Members of the Fagan family including Calleen trustee, Jenni Fagan, were also on hand to present Ms Penrose Hart her prize. "The Calleen Art Award 2024 exhibition launch was an enjoyable evening and included music provided by Simone Thornett," said Langer. "We hope to see everyone come down and have a look at this outstanding crop of works before the exhibition finishes on November 17." The Calleen Art Award 2024 exhibition dates are 28 September to 17 November 2024 at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery, 77 Darling Street Cowra. Gallery hours - Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm, Sunday 10am – 2pm. General admission is free. For more information go to www.cowraartgallery.com.au
