The HobArchies Exhibition 2021
Thank you very much to artist and long time supporter and sponsor of the Hobsons Bay Arts Society Trudi Harley for judging the Hobarchies and for her insightful critiques of the prize winners. If you would like to learn more about Trudi and see some of her amazing work including portraits Click Here to go to her website.
Category winners and Judge Comments:
Comments by Hobarchies 2021 judge Trudi Harley:
As with any judging of art work is difficult to leave personal preference aside and remain objective, and as such it is also difficult to merely choose something that is a ‘winner’ over something else. I commend all the artists in their achievements in executing their chosen portrait whether it be of the human or animal variety, and to the extent to which their accomplishments have been met. It has been a very trying time and as always artistic endeavours allow us a form of escapism, an indulgence into self-reflection which takes us away from the everyday. I encourage all of you to think past winning or losing and simply think of this as an artistic journey, a place where you can share your thoughts and wallow in a little pictorial relief.
As with any judging of art work is difficult to leave personal preference aside and remain objective, and as such it is also difficult to merely choose something that is a ‘winner’ over something else. I commend all the artists in their achievements in executing their chosen portrait whether it be of the human or animal variety, and to the extent to which their accomplishments have been met. It has been a very trying time and as always artistic endeavours allow us a form of escapism, an indulgence into self-reflection which takes us away from the everyday. I encourage all of you to think past winning or losing and simply think of this as an artistic journey, a place where you can share your thoughts and wallow in a little pictorial relief.
Portraits:
1st Place - Kathryn Price- Self Portrait
Beautifully executed portrait using a limited palette, thoughtful presence of the sitter gazing upward in contemplation. Simplicity of form and space conjures up a sense of isolation and almost hopelessness, but at the same time providing a deep sense of inner strength. Depth is created by soft tonal variations with light gently illuminating the sitter’s left side and throwing the right into gentle shadow. Very effective use of the medium.
Beautifully executed portrait using a limited palette, thoughtful presence of the sitter gazing upward in contemplation. Simplicity of form and space conjures up a sense of isolation and almost hopelessness, but at the same time providing a deep sense of inner strength. Depth is created by soft tonal variations with light gently illuminating the sitter’s left side and throwing the right into gentle shadow. Very effective use of the medium.
2nd Place – Michele Tirman Olsen – Vivienne Westwood
Expressive portrait accurately capturing the sitter’s features and characteristics. Bold colour emphasises Vivienne’s personality.
Expressive portrait accurately capturing the sitter’s features and characteristics. Bold colour emphasises Vivienne’s personality.
3rd Place - Elke Metzger – Julie Bishop as Foreign Minister
Beautifully stylized portrait of Julie Bishop, no nonsense portrayal of the Ex-Foreign Minister using clean cut simple lines and black and white contrast to create form and emphasise depth of character.
Beautifully stylized portrait of Julie Bishop, no nonsense portrayal of the Ex-Foreign Minister using clean cut simple lines and black and white contrast to create form and emphasise depth of character.
Honourable Mention – Linda Goonan – Isolation – Grumpy Girl
Sombre portrait accurately portrays the sitter with thoughtful use of evocative colour. Expressive application of line and texture emphasising the current mood of lockdown and providing the viewer with the foreboding sense of hopelessness.
Sombre portrait accurately portrays the sitter with thoughtful use of evocative colour. Expressive application of line and texture emphasising the current mood of lockdown and providing the viewer with the foreboding sense of hopelessness.
Honourable Mention – Judith Jones – Daphne at the Window
Simplistic form accentuated with lively confident brushstrokes. Thoughtful use of colour which emphasises the separateness of the external environment to the internal environment. Unusual viewpoint to create a sense space to and depth.
Simplistic form accentuated with lively confident brushstrokes. Thoughtful use of colour which emphasises the separateness of the external environment to the internal environment. Unusual viewpoint to create a sense space to and depth.
Pets/Wildlife Portraits:
1st Place – Kirsten Craggs – Pepin
Effective use of the medium to create space and formulate a sense of depth. Textural elements of fur confidently and expressively executed. Good contrast of colour elements to emphasise the subject matter.
Effective use of the medium to create space and formulate a sense of depth. Textural elements of fur confidently and expressively executed. Good contrast of colour elements to emphasise the subject matter.
2nd Place – Stella Kinsella – Blue
A beautiful and expressive characterisation which fully engages the viewers’ attention. The intense fixated gaze is endearing making it almost impossible to look away.
A beautiful and expressive characterisation which fully engages the viewers’ attention. The intense fixated gaze is endearing making it almost impossible to look away.
3rd Place – Kathryn Price – Berger Paddy
Emotive pet portrait, engaging in its simplicity, fully enclosed within the picture frame it still provides a sense of openness, so much so that the cat looks at us with disdain and could at any moment stand up and walk off.
Emotive pet portrait, engaging in its simplicity, fully enclosed within the picture frame it still provides a sense of openness, so much so that the cat looks at us with disdain and could at any moment stand up and walk off.
Honourable Mention – Ivana Pinaffo – The Two Of Us
Very expressive brush stroke and lively strong sense of colour application to suggest form and space. Spatial and colour relationships operate to create depth of field.
Very expressive brush stroke and lively strong sense of colour application to suggest form and space. Spatial and colour relationships operate to create depth of field.
Honourable Mention – Michele Finey – Cormorants of Australia
A well thought out piece where the detail of the elements is reduced to stylization. The expressive nature of the cormorant’s beaks leading us directionally over the painting. Reduction of colour to create depth in the landscape.
A well thought out piece where the detail of the elements is reduced to stylization. The expressive nature of the cormorant’s beaks leading us directionally over the painting. Reduction of colour to create depth in the landscape.
Congratulations to the winners and thank you to all the members who entered.
Please note: All images of paintings/art work displayed on this website are subject to Copyright
Hobsons Bay Arts Society, Louis Joel Arts & Community Centre, 5 Sargood Street, Altona, Vic, 3018, Australia.
PO Box 331, Altona, 3018. Email: hbas@y7mail.com Inc A0009415E ABN 59178656282
PO Box 331, Altona, 3018. Email: hbas@y7mail.com Inc A0009415E ABN 59178656282
