Kerikeri artist’s work wins Ranamok prize

Kerikeri artist’s “truly magnificent” work wins Ranamok prize

Kerikeri artist Sue Hawker has won the prestigious Ranamok Glass Prize 2010, Australasia’s biggest prize for glass art – making her the third New Zealand winner of the prize in the last four years.

The AUS$15,000 prize was awarded in front of an audience of several hundred people in Canberra last week.

Sue’s vibrant pâte de verre piece called “Too Much Is Never Enough” was described by judge and international glass art expert Tina Oldknow as “a truly magnificent work” with Ms Oldknow going on to say that the artist had used pâte de verre in a way that had never been done before.

The winning piece was described by Ms Oldknow as “very Andy Warhol” and was created as a recession blues-busting work. “There is too much doom and gloom,” said Sue, “it’s important to keep positive and the piece is deliberately bold, large and colourful.”

Pâte de verre is an exacting technique requiring meticulous work. It is often used to create fragile pieces. Sue’s piece, however, represents quite a departure from the usual pâte de verre creations. “It’s solid and substantial and pushes the boundaries of the technique – but this is exactly what our tutor challenged us to do when I was a student.”

Winning the prestigious prize has led to a flurry of offers for the former NorthTec applied arts student. Sue has been offered two exhibitions in Sydney including a joint exhibition that will coincide with the 2011 Ausglass Conference.

“The owner of the Glass Artists Gallery in Glebe, Sydney (and co-founder of the Ranamok Glass Prize), Maureen Cahill, has said that she would like to take my work to the “Connect” exhibition in London next year.”

Sue continues to have a connection with NorthTec as a visiting artist and mentor at its Kerikeri campus where she is part of a thriving group of artists who are gaining national and international recognition for their work.

Winning the Ranamok Glass Prize is a huge boost, especially given the judges’ comment that the piece would stand up anywhere in the world. It shows that we can foot it with anyone. For me personally, it allows me to continue with the work I love.”

Sue’s success looks set to continue with the news yesterday that she and NorthTec graduate and Kerikeri artist Lee Brogan have been selected as finalists for the annual Wallace Art Awards, Lee with a pâte de verre piece and Sue with a ceramic installation.

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