Published on Saturday, 14 September 2024 at 12:06:38 PM
Western Australian artist Brad Rimmer has been awarded the prestigious City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Acquisitional Major Prize for his evocative piece, Konnongorring Hall, Spring 2020. The announcement was made during a vibrant awards evening on Friday, where the city's arts community came together to celebrate the outstanding talent of this year’s entrants and the highly anticipated exhibition opening.
Rimmer’s winning piece, recognised for its complex yet deceptively simple composition, was praised by this year’s Art Prize judges for its careful attention to detail and timeless quality. Konnongorring Hall, Spring 2020 will be added to the City’s Art Collection.
The City’s annual Art Prize has long been a highlight of the State’s arts calendar, cementing Kalgoorlie-Boulder’s reputation as a vibrant hub for regional arts and culture. The highly anticipated event attracts skilled artists from the local community, the wider Goldfields region, and across Australia. Participants aged 16 and over are invited to present their creative works across various mediums, with no restrictions on theme.
This year's exhibition showcases an outstanding array of submissions from artists nationwide, all vying for a share of the $40,000 prize pool across ten categories.
This year’s category winners are:
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Acquisitional Major Prize
Konnongorring Hall, Spring 2020 by Brad Rimmer
Judges’ Comments: This piece is deceptively simple, but its complexity reveals itself over time. While site-specific, it feels universal. The work could have been taken 60 years ago, yet remains ageless. We all felt a stillness when viewing it, with every decision on composition and light carefully considered.
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Artwork by a Kalgoorlie-Boulder Artist
From the Ashes by Andrew Saltmarsh
Judges’ Comments: The artist has skillfully highlighted the natural form of the sheoak wood without overdoing it, allowing the material to tell its own story. The result is a vessel that brings life and history to the found object.
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First Nations Art Award
Connected by Renee Rose
Judges’ Comments: This piece was beautifully painted with a harmonious and soothing palette. The dots seemed to vibrate with life, creating a reflection of anatomical connections that felt alive and evocative.
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Painting Award
Burning House by Jordan Andreotta
Judges’ Comments: This painting showcased technical mastery, with a subject matter that is intriguing yet leaves space for multiple interpretations. It captures the fragility and impermanence of life with great control and subtlety.
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Photography Award
Corner of Hannan and Maritana Streets, Kalgoorlie by Brett Leigh Dicks
Judges’ Comments: This photo invites viewers to reflect on how some things change while others stay the same. It uses nostalgia as a tool to take us back in time, allowing for a comparison with a past we never knew.
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Works on Paper Award
Blue by Everlyn Sturges
Judges’ Comments: This drawing perfectly captured the expressive nature of the dog. The fine detail, especially the gaze and subtle use of colour, gave depth and conveyed the dog’s personality in a captivating way.
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Mixed Media and Textile Award
WHO AM I? by Jodie Leahy
Judges’ Comments: This playful piece filled us with joy. It’s a celebration of nostalgia and creativity, with a vibrant strength that makes it impossible not to love.
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3D Works Award
Wallawani by Douglas Wilson
Judges’ Comments: This piece is remarkable for its craftsmanship and its interactive nature. The delicate movement and fine details, like the wire signature and bead barnacles, brought the whale to life in a beautifully understated way.
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Young Artist Award
Prospects by Lachlan Davis
Judges’ Comments: This work displays impressive technical skill and maturity for such a young artist. The sense of narrative and ambitious scale is complemented by the artist’s sophisticated use of colour and composition.
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Mayor Glenn Wilson expressed the City’s pride in hosting the prestigious event and its importance for both the local community and the wider arts scene.
"The Art Prize is something we’re all really proud of here in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. It’s not just about showcasing talent, but about bringing people together and celebrating the creativity that exists in our own backyard. Whether you're a new artist or someone who’s been doing this for years, this event gives everyone a chance to shine."
"The exhibition is receiving more and more attention from across Australia, and it really puts Kalgoorlie-Boulder on the map as a place where arts and culture thrive. It’s also great to see how it connects us to the wider arts community.”
“What I love most about the Art Prize is how it creates a sense of togetherness. Whether you’re an artist, a resident, or visiting our city, there’s something special about walking through the exhibition and seeing all the incredible work.”
“It gives us all a chance to take a break, appreciate some amazing art, and feel proud of what’s happening in our city," he said.
The exhibition is open daily from 10am to 3pm (excluding public holidays) from Saturday, 14 September to Friday, 18 October 2024. Admission is free, and visitors are encouraged to vote for the People’s Choice Award, with the winner to be announced after the exhibition concludes.
For more information about the 2024 City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Art Prize, click here.
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