Matthew Flinders Art Prize 2017

MATTHEW FLINDERS Fine Art Prize 2017

The 19th year of MFAP

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MFAP 2017 ENTRIES AND WINNERS

A walk through the New Zealand countryside after attending a family wedding brought Redcliffe artist Barry Stone the $5000 first prize in the 2017 Matthew Flinders Art Prize this week.

Barry received his award presented by Lawrie Leonard, Bribie RSL President, at the gala opening night of the MFAP exhibition at Bribie Island Community Arts Centre on Friday before a packed house of 270 people.

His oil painting titled “Upper Clarence River Canterbury NZ’’ was selected by the judges, Associate Director (Curatorial) UQ Art Museum Michele Helmrich and University of the Sunshine Coast Art Gallery manager, Megan Williams, from the 253 entries this year.

They said his skilled use of light and colour in a simple yet captivating scene won their hearts.

Second prize winner of $2000 was Bribie artist, Christine Miles, for her mixed media artwork “The Cover Up’’, a series of newsprint-covered trees set in intricately plaited paper. There were several interpretations of her work. Christine said she made it as a statement about environmental imbalance. The judges called it imaginative and stunning, with clever and thoughtful finish.

Bribie island Community Arts Society functions & events manager, Julie Thomson, said the competition was boosted this year by a bigger prize pool and more vigorous marketing.

“The size and scope of entries this year has been fantastic,’’ she said.

“The organising committee is delighted to see many new artists not only from Bribie Island, but also from different and distant places coming to the competition this year. It is a great reward for many months of hard work planning this event which is a signature one for the Arts Centre and for the Moreton Bay Region.”

She said the MBRC, State Government and local business sponsors had been wonderful supporters of the event.

Highly Commended awards of $500 went to Gloria Davies, from Bribie Island, for her detailed collage titled “The Homecoming", and to David Cross for his oil on linen work, "Another Afternoon at Eet Cafe Blauwbrug, Amsterdam".

The judges also gave 10 Commended awards to :

Bob Gunn Cash Flow

Liz Edols Lucy the Bitzer

Bruce Mitchell Untitled

Nan Dingle The Winter Trees Tasmania

Cathy McFarlane Clouds Triptych

Lisa Schroder Sugarbush

Kathrin Dierich Dragon Dancer

Josephine Knight Back 2 Back

Michel Posposchil Where Sh*t Happens

Dennis Arnold Invasion of the Graduates