5x7 Art Prize 2022
This exhibition is open to all residents of the Brimbank, Hobsons Bay, Maribyrnong, Melton, Moonee Valley and Wyndham Municipalities and is an increasingly popular event. The theme for this year is "What Matters" and the exhibition is open to the public to view 10am - 4pm Mon-Fri and 11am - 3pm on weekends from the 9th of April till the 21st of April at the Louis Joel Centre, 5 Sargood Street, Altona, Victoria, 3018. Most artworks are for sale and are a great opportunity to get an original one of a kind artwork for yourself or a great gift.
We would like to thank our judges for this years 5x7 Art Prize - Jeff Gauci, Tania Blackwell and Danielle Whelan for the very hard job they had of picking winners from such a fantastic selection of art. As always thank you to all those who have entered, to our volunteers and sponsors which make this show possible.
Category winners and Judge Comments:
Overall it was incredibly hard to make a decision. The judges were pretty much unanimous in their top six, but working out the order of winners was quite challenging, so everyone should be commended. The judges looked at both skills as well as how well the works responded to the theme of “ What Matters” The judges were delighted with so many works focused on the environment and in the end the award winners were selected based on skill, composition, and their conceptual thinking.

1st Place: You - What Matters by Jacquie Koolan
The judges were all immediately drawn to this work. The techniques used are strong with the layering of paint and lacquer to give the work a 3-dimensional appeal, it’s as though it pops out of the canvas further strengthening its message. The work reminds the viewer to reflect on themselves as being important. With the increasing challenges around mental health, we felt the work responded well to the theme of what matters and presented an important message.
The judges were all immediately drawn to this work. The techniques used are strong with the layering of paint and lacquer to give the work a 3-dimensional appeal, it’s as though it pops out of the canvas further strengthening its message. The work reminds the viewer to reflect on themselves as being important. With the increasing challenges around mental health, we felt the work responded well to the theme of what matters and presented an important message.

2nd Place: Mismanaged Matter by Debbie Kavanagh
This work created a bit of contention between the judges, in the end, it was awarded a prize for its intelligent narrative. Drawing on the idea of physical matter and minerals that are mined from the landscape to cater to humanity’s overconsumption presented a powerful message as we face an extinction crisis.
This work created a bit of contention between the judges, in the end, it was awarded a prize for its intelligent narrative. Drawing on the idea of physical matter and minerals that are mined from the landscape to cater to humanity’s overconsumption presented a powerful message as we face an extinction crisis.

3rd Place: Toxic Ocean - "The Hand of Man Series" by Deborah Chubb
The judges liked all three of the works in the series. Toxic Ocean stood out for its relevance to the Bay with the message of the plastic ocean consuming the whale as a metaphor for our dying ocean. The human hand-holding and carrying the bag, reminds us that we are in control of the ocean's destiny.
The judges liked all three of the works in the series. Toxic Ocean stood out for its relevance to the Bay with the message of the plastic ocean consuming the whale as a metaphor for our dying ocean. The human hand-holding and carrying the bag, reminds us that we are in control of the ocean's destiny.

Highly Commended: No More War by Leanne Pagliaro
The judges liked the three works in this series. They all presented a strong message about peace and having currency based on what is happening in the Ukraine. The illustrations showed a lot of emotion through light and shade.
The judges liked the three works in this series. They all presented a strong message about peace and having currency based on what is happening in the Ukraine. The illustrations showed a lot of emotion through light and shade.

Highly Commended: Water Play Matters by Cara King
The judges liked the skill in this work, the use of light, and its painterly technique really stood out. The work suggests a love for family and the ocean.
The judges liked the skill in this work, the use of light, and its painterly technique really stood out. The work suggests a love for family and the ocean.

Highly Commended: What Matters - Precious Water by Gaye Pereira-Jackson
This work captured the judge's attention with its subtle pointillism technique. The message of water being such an important asset is often taken for granted. The expression on the child's face is of gratitude which we felt was also an important message of what matters.
This work captured the judge's attention with its subtle pointillism technique. The message of water being such an important asset is often taken for granted. The expression on the child's face is of gratitude which we felt was also an important message of what matters.
Please enjoy below a slide show of all the entries to our open section of the 5x7 Art Prize
Please enjoy below a slide show of all the entries to our school section of the 5x7 Art Prize
Congratulations to the award winners in the school section:
1st Place - Queen Of Peace Primary School
2nd Place - Williamstown High School - Bayside
3rd Place - Williamstown Primary School
1st Place - Queen Of Peace Primary School
2nd Place - Williamstown High School - Bayside
3rd Place - Williamstown Primary School