Two local men have shone in this year’s Mortimore Art Prize contest, one of them “speechless”when his name was read out at the competition’s grand opening on Saturday night.
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Leura artist Neil Taylor took out the $12,000 Mortimore Art Prize with Like Starlight on Dark Waters, but 220 people who gathered at the St Brigid’s Church hall were beaming after Dubbo’s Mark Horton picked up first place and $2000 in the competition’s drawing section.
Mortimore Art Prize co-ordinator Mike Coward reported that Mr Horton had been a “popular” winner.
“He was absolutely speechless and quite emotional,” Mr Coward said.
Another local, Brett Garling, provided the “best sculpture”of the competition with his Beasts of Burden.
More than 300 entries were received for the 2009 contest, similar to the tally in 2008.
But while the numbers are much the same, not the quality of works.
“The standard is up considerably,” Mr Coward said.
“More accomplished artists are entering.”
The competition offering $33,000 prize money in its fifth year was judged by internationally-acclaimed artist Margaret Woodward, 2008 Mortimore Art Prize winner Barry McCann and fellow artist and wife Lucy McCann.
A fourth judge, Julian Ashton Art School principal Paul Delprat was unable to carry out his duties this year.
Mr Coward said a “very good crowd” had turned out on Saturday night to admire the artworks that included about 10 entries from people living within a 50-kilometre radius of Dubbo.
A steady stream of people viewed the exhibition yesterday, happy to pay an $8 entry fee.
Named in honour of Dubbo artist Peter Mortimore, it will remain open to the public until October 18.
kim.bartley@ruralpress.com
