He said it provided him with a rare avenue to show his work.

“I am always very pleased to be accepted into a competition,” he said.

“I never expect public recognition in Sydney.

“This is the only competition in NSW I can enter with any chance of winning.”

Residing in Sydney, he said the city was all about contemporary art and as a result his works were often rejected.

“It is great my work is taken seriously in this competition,” he said.

“My works are not about a particular subject... they are about the process of perception, looking and seeing.”

The winner of the Mortimore Art Prize for Best in Show and People’s Choice in 2007, Mr Harvey is a familiar entrant in the prize.

He has been holding solo shows since 1980 and with paintings often sold out he said contemporary art was not what everyone was interested in.

“I think there should be more of it (the Mortimore prize),” he said.

“You can’t go into the art gallery and see the same kind of art you see in the Mortimore.”

Initially a portrait artist, Mr Harvey will have two still life works on show.

“I got sick of portraits because I can’t do the work I want in portraits... everyone wants a say in it and it is all too difficult,” he said.

“With still life I can take as long as I want and I’m completely in control.

He said he works on his art every available sunny day.

The Mortimore Art Prize will be open for public viewing at St Brigid’s Hall, Brisbane Street from September 27 to October 18.

lucy.rowles@ruralpress.com