Acquisitive winner Trish Erkens with ‘Farming The Golden Years’ which will be added to the Wondai Art Gallery’s permanent collection

June 1, 2012

The winner of the 2012 Wondai Art Acquisitive is South Burnett artist Trish Erkens who was presented with a $1000 cash prize this evening at the official exhibition opening at the Wondai Regional Art Gallery.

Trish’s work “Farming The Golden Years” was praised by judge June McCotter for capturing the essence of the theme of the competition, “The Year of The Farmer”. She said a “natural rhythm” resonated in the work, which captured a mood and a moment.

“I painted the picture because I did not think there was enough being done for the oldies. I wanted to acknowledge the oldies,” Trish said.

The painting will now join the Wondai Gallery’s permanent collection.

The People’s Choice award, sponsored by long-time Gallery supporter David Carter, went to “Girraween Grass Trees” by Kerriann Condrin.

Winners in the non-acquisitive sections of the competition were:

Section 2 – Oil and Acrylic
$200 Winner – Shannus O’Sullivan – “Dawn Service”
Highly Commended – Elaine White – “Waiting For Lunch”

Section 3 – Pastel
$200 Winner – Marjie Zimmerman – “Brothers Forever”
Highly Commended – Carmel Birchley – “‘Storm Clouds”

Section 4 – Hand-Built Pottery
$200 Winner – Margariet Laughton – “Ball and Chain”
Highly Commended – Patience Gutheridge – “Hey There”

Section 5  – Watercolour
$200 Winner – Alan Benfield – “River Reflection”
Highly Commended – Dot Rowland – “Beautiful Bush”
Commended – Trish Erkens – “Christmas Dinner”

Gallery Director Elaine Madill paid special tribute to the sponsors who had supported the competition: Wondai RSL, Datawave, Dan’s Diner, Wondai Real Estate, Wondai Pharmacy, Ryan’s Butchery, Andrew Hobbs and Associates, Crane Wines, Kingaroy Office Equipment, QSP Pty Ltd, Wondai IGA, Wondai Hardware and Trade Centre, Purser’s Coaches and David Carter.

Section 2 Pottery winner Margariet Laughton, Moffatdale, and Peter Delaney, Goomeri
Artist Romaine Undery with husband Peter,
from Kingaroy
John Swatland, Wondai, and Kate Eckersall, Tingoora, provided the entertainment
Guest speaker David Carter with Acquisitive winner Trish Erkens
Artist Robyn Dower, Kingaroy, with Julia Shaw and Karren Bolton, Nanango