Strong vision impresses judge in IHC Art Awards

Strong vision impresses judge in IHC Art Awards

Auckland cartoonist and illustrator Dylan Horrocks praised the strong focus of the 10 finalists he selected today for the IHC Art Awards 2015.

Dylan was judging the South Island heat of the competition in Dunedin and the works he chose covered a whole range of different forms including; painting, print-making, photography, ceramics and textile art.

He said there was a common thread to the work by the 10 finalists. “Partly they have had a clear vision and they have stuck to it and they have been exploring it and digging deeper.”

One of the works that he singled out for attention was a series of photographs called Best Friends by Sheryl McIlroy.

“I really love that because it’s a great piece of art to look at. There is a lot going on; it’s really human and it really captures the people. It’s really playful.”

The finalists are: Karen Sutherland, Dunedin; Sheryl McIlroy, Nelson; Jonathan Bowler, Picton; Tracey Sawyer, Blenheim; Frank Croydon, Kaikoura; Andrew Martin, Rangiora; Kaye McMurray, Timaru; Andrew Keogh, Dunedin; Duane Harrington, Dunedin; Andrew Withers, Dunedin.

Three artists were named Highly Commended by Dylan they are: Sheryl McIlroy, Andrew Martin and Kaye McMurray.

Dylan is one of three judges this year, along with Denise L’Estrange-Corbet, from WORLD fashion, and musician and jewellery artist Boh Runga. This is the final of three regional heats for this year’s Art Awards.

The first, second and third prize-winners will then be selected from these 30 finalists and announced at the Michael Fowler Centre in Wellington onThursday 27 August. The winner receives $5000, runner-up $2000 and third-place getter $1000.

A further prize – the People’s Choice Award – will be determined by Facebook voting during August.

All the finalists’ work will be auctioned on the night, with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to the artists.

See the exhibition:

Community Gallery, 20 Princes Street, Dunedin, from 30 July – 5 August.

ENDS

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