Artists Nadine Schmoll, Lisa McKimmie and Alexandra Mills have won the major prizes in this year’s Remagine Art Prize with a special Youth Award (16-18 years) going to Emily Li. Anna Druganova of Hornsby Heights received the Local Artist award.
Hosted by Hornsby Shire Council in partnership with the Hornsby Art Society, the annual Remagine Art Prize challenges artists to create works in response to the crisis we are all facing, with waste and over-consumption.
The theme for this year’s prize was ‘Planet Earth: The future is Circular’, shining a light on the reduction of earth’s raw materials and the need to reuse these finite and precious natural resources.
Queensland-based artist Nadine Schmoll won first prize and $5,000 in prize money for her work titled Five Vessels.
“Five Vessels is a collection of small sculptures made by sculpting waste plastic water bottles with heat. Imitating the fragile translucence of glass, these sculptures hold our hopes and dreams of a different future that values plastic for its creative reuse potential.,” explained Nadine.
Balmain-based artist Lisa McKimmie was one of two runners up, winning $2000 for her work Anthill.
“Anthill is made from oil on recycled stretched linen. I strive for a zero-waste studio. Preparing older works for reuse, having no paint or solvent waste in my process. The process must honour the subject.,” Lisa said.
The other runner up was Alexandra Mills of Kurraba for her work Nine o’clock which reimagines the skyline of the old Darlinghurst Gaol buildings which were constructed in the 19th century on a circular plan and reinvented in the 20th century as the National Art School in Sydney.
“The circular relationship of these two distinct ‘lives’ of the site lies in the fact that prisoners were occupied in making objects (clothing, books, mats, brushes and much more) just as the art students also spend their days making art often using the same materials as the prisoners,” Alexandra explained.
Local Hornsby Heights resident Anna Druganova took out the Local Artist Award and $1000 for her artwork Leftovers.
“This painting represents after COVID19 reality. Things like masks and plastic bottles could end up in the ocean and pollute the environment,” said Anna.
“It explains that Planet Earth should be protected from these ‘leftovers’ otherwise pandemic becomes ‘Circular’ and comes back again.”
Emily Li from Lindfield won the Youth Award (16-18 years) and $500 in prize money for her painting Rainbow Oceans.
“Rainbow Oceans highlights the pollution in our oceans, showcasing the negative impact we have on the ecosystem by carelessly using our finite resources,” said Emily.
“All of this pointless damage done to the environment can be easily reduced by valuing and caring about our resources. I believe we need to start to change our ways before the damage is irreversible, as sustainability is important to ensure the future for us all.”
Hornsby Shire Mayor, Philip Ruddock said, “Congratulations to all the worthy winners of this year’s Remagine Art Prize. Their talent is outstanding and passion for sustainability and the environment incredibly inspiring.”
This year’s judges were artist Alan Jones and designer/illustrator/sculptor Paul Littrich.
The Remagine Art Prize 2022 finalist exhibition is on show at Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre, 25 Edgeworth David Avenue, Hornsby until 12 June 2022, Wednesday – Sunday, 10am-4pm.
