2024 Cossack Art Awards winners announced
On Saturday July 20, the City of Karratha awarded more than $85,000 in prize money to nine category winners at the 32nd Cossack Art Awards, with a $3,000 people’s choice award to be announced at the close of the exhibition.
Dry River Bed Burnt Country, by local artist Allery Sandy won this year’s Best Overall Artwork.
The 2024 Cossack Art Awards judging panel of Sarah Elson, De Gillett Cox, and Steve Makse described the piece as sophisticated and deeply evocative work.
“The exquisite materiality of this piece elicits a rich association to land, movement and the inevitability of change,” said the panel.
“The tacit use of materials results in a landscape of pattern and possibility,” they said.
City of Karratha Mayor Daniel Scott highlighted that the Cossack Art Awards continue to celebrate immense talent both locally and nationally.
“The Pilbara is well-known as an artistic hub, and this year's entries really showcase the rich culture and creativity of our region.
"I extend my congratulations to Allery Sandy, the 2024 Best Overall Artwork winner, as well as to all the category winners for their accomplishments. I also commend all entrants for their contributions to yet another great exhibition.
"I would also like to express my gratitude to our esteemed judging panel for their dedication and expertise in selecting the winning and highly commended works.
"I encourage everyone to visit the exhibition and participate in the public program of events and activities available in the coming weeks.”
Presented by the City of Karratha with principal partner Rio Tinto, the exhibition is open to the public 10am-3pm daily from July 21 to August 11 2024. Admission is free.
Rio Tinto Iron Ore Chief Executive Officer Simon Trott congratulated all the winners for their incredible works.
"We are proud to support the Cossack Art Awards to provide a platform for local creatives and artists to showcase their talent,” said Mr Trott.
"These artists invest an incredible amount of time and energy into their artworks to provide unique insights into the Pilbara's amazing landscapes, people and rich history. I look forward to seeing the compelling works that this year’s Artist in Residence, Katie Barron, will create using oils,” he said.
"For 60 years we've been part of the Pilbara community and we understand the vital role that cultural events like this play in fostering identity and connection within the community. It's great to partner for another year with the City of Karratha to deliver this year's event."
Visitors to the exhibition can cast their vote in the Pilbara Ports People’s Choice Award, to be announced on August 11 at the Fortescue Children's Art Day.
2024 AWARD RECIPIENTS:
BEST OVERALL ARTWORK - City of Karratha
Artwork ID: 5055
Artist Name: Allery Sandy
Artwork Title: Dry River Bed Burnt Country
$20,000 prize
Judges’ comments:
This sophisticated work is deeply evocative. The exquisite materiality of this piece elicits a rich association to land, movement and the inevitability of change. The tacit use of materials results in a landscape of pattern and possibility.
https://www.cossackartawards.com.au/store/p/5055
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BEST ARTWORK BY PILBARA ARTIST - City of Karratha
Artwork ID: 4020
Artist Name: Melissa Sandy
Artwork Title: Tide Going Out
$10,000 prize
Judges’ comments:
This work combines a First Nations artist's sensibility with a traditional fine art reading. In combining an understanding of perspective with mark making it succeeds beautifully.
https://www.cossackartawards.com.au/store/p/4020
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EMERGING YOUNG ARTIST - Citic Pacific Mining
Artwork ID: 1003
Artist Name: Paige Davey
Artwork Title: Dinner Time
$8,000 prize
Judges’ comments:
This piece has a great sense of joy and whimsy, painted skilfully, creating a strong composition that's full of well-constructed detail. Like many still-life paintings, it feels like a view into the artist's world - 'Things' that form part of their identity and sense of self, at least for the small moment in their life when the painting was made. A highly amusing take on bringing our child-selves with us into adulthood. Delightful eclectic and playful.
https://www.cossackartawards.com.au/store/p/1003
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NORTH WEST FLORA AND FAUNA - Rio Tinto
Artwork ID: 2020
Artist Name: Peta Riley
Artwork Title: Pilbara Reds
$8,000 prize
Judges’ comments:
This work uses diverse techniques that are well combined in dynamic angular representations of flora and fauna and celebrates a graphic portrayal of nature.
https://www.cossackartawards.com.au/store/p/2020
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OPEN THEME - Rio Tinto
Artwork ID: 3017
Artist Name: Deanne Haddow
Artwork Title: Haddowland Marris
$8,000 prize
Judges’ comments:
This work beautifully captures the marri forest experience, immersed in the organised chaos of nature. There's strong evidence of technique, and considered observation. The subtle but varied hue work well under the linear overlay of white lines to bring out the chaotic nature of a place that also has a peaceful meditative quality.
https://www.cossackartawards.com.au/store/p/3017
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PAINTING BY PILBARA INDIGENOUS ARTIST - City of Karratha
Artwork ID: 4010
Artist Name: Kathleen Maree Sorensen
Artwork Title: Dua
$8,000 prize
Judges’ comments:
The piece is a successful crossover between western and First nations art... figuration and abstraction. The hues and patterns used are striking but complementary, while the overall work hints at a comment on colonialism. A fresh voice dealing with a subject matter that invites political discussion.
https://www.cossackartawards.com.au/store/p/4010
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PILBARA LANDSCAPE - Pilbara Development Commission
Artwork ID: 5040
Artist Name: Lesley Marshall
Artwork Title: Python Pool
$8,000 prize
Judges’ comments:
This artwork brilliantly captures the movement of sunlight through the landscape. The linear vertical marks shows the passage and intensity of light through the gorges. A sensitive abstraction with a well resolved sense of place.
https://www.cossackartawards.com.au/store/p/5040
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PORTRAITS - Stardeck Group
Artwork ID: 6007
Artist Name: Sam James
Artwork Title: Rachael in the Rain
$8,000 prize
Judges’ comments:
Skilfully painted with gorgeous colours under the skin. This beautiful work is sensitively rendered and a highly nuanced expression invites the viewer into the mind of the subject and elicits a sense of empathy. An intimate and enduring portrait.
https://www.cossackartawards.com.au/store/p/6007
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WORKS ON PAPER - City of Karratha
Artwork ID: 7024
Artist Name: Kelli Dawson
Artwork Title: July '85
$8,000 prize
Judges’ comments:
This intricate piece successfully plays with the material possibilities of the paper itself - cutting into, folding and rolling it, plus illustrating onto it. The substrate has become an integral part of the work and the plethora of iconography are well resolved. The combination of materials creates a sense of depth giving a commentary on the historical use of the land.
https://www.cossackartawards.com.au/store/p/7024
HIGHLY COMMENDED WORKS
HIGHLY COMMENDED - BEST ARTWORK BY PILBARA ARTIST
Artwork ID: 4016
Artist Name: Treinaya Phillips
Artwork Title: Wildflowers
Judges’ comments:
This vibrant yet understated work celebrates the joy of seeing the wildflowers spring forth. The strength in this work is in its gentle asymmetry and the effective tonal play on colour and mark making
https://www.cossackartawards.com.au/store/p/4016
HIGHLY COMMENDED - EMERGING YOUNG ARTIST
Artwork ID: 1007
Artist Name: Abbey Douce
Artwork Title: Harmonious Abditory
Judges’ comments:
This work has a strong composition due to the use of high contrasting tones. The negative space draws the viewer's eye into the work, bringing focus to the lone figure that is wrapped in the solitude of the natural environment. The artist has done well to create subtle shadow detail and capture what feels like a meditative scene. A poignant interpretation of the solitude necessary to find oneself.
https://www.cossackartawards.com.au/store/p/1007
HIGHLY COMMENDED - NORTH WEST FLORA AND FAUNA
Artwork ID: 2039
Artist Name: Dawn Sandy
Artwork Title: Rain Over Spinifex Country
Judges’ comments:
The vastness of the landscape is well depicted in this celebration of wildflowers. Each mark is as intricate as the flora and references celebration that is the coming of the rain.
https://www.cossackartawards.com.au/store/p/2039
HIGHLY COMMENDED - OPEN THEME
Artwork ID: 3087
Artist Name: Karla Tittums
Artwork Title: Weaving our mob, language, country, culture and traditions back
Judges’ comments:
Re-interpreting the Aboriginal flag through basket weaving gives us an elegant discussion on belonging to country. This is a powerful work that demonstrates that belonging is an interlinking pattern woven through the elements of nature, and the maker has the ability to effect its outcome.
https://www.cossackartawards.com.au/store/p/3087
HIGHLY COMMENDED - PAINTING BY PILBARA INDIGENOUS ARTIST
Artwork ID: 4012
Artist Name: Nigel Neech
Artwork Title: Kunawarritji (Canning Stock Route Well 33)
Judges’ comments:
This work depicts country and place with traditional dot painting with contemporary colours. The bold colour along with sensitive mark making create a dynamic composition.
https://www.cossackartawards.com.au/store/p/4012
HIGHLY COMMENDED - PILBARA LANDSCAPE
Artwork ID: 5035
Artist Name: Mary-Lynne Stratton
Artwork Title: Rhythm of Ancient Country
Judges’ comments:
This art work beautifully explores how it actually feels to be in the landscape and experience the changing light. The large patchwork reds depict the formations and layering of time through the play of light.
https://www.cossackartawards.com.au/store/p/5035
HIGHLY COMMENDED – PORTRAITS
Artwork ID: 6011
Artist Name: Talitha Sprigg
Artwork Title: The Starving Artist
Judges’ comments:
This work humourously and eloquently depicts the experience of living as an artist. The portrait itself is a skillful rendering, made all the more difficult by the less than ideal substrate, an art-store shopping receipt, adding another layer of meaning which reinforces the struggle where the artist weighs up their own artistic integrity against the idea that they should paint something that sells.
https://www.cossackartawards.com.au/store/p/6011
HIGHLY COMMENDED - WORKS ON PAPER
Artwork ID: 7016
Artist Name: Eleanor Davies
Artwork Title: Hakea
Judges’ comments: A technically proficient and evocative work that brings out the best in the medium. Working with strong graphic lines, the high contrast aspects of the linocut medium, the artist has managed to represent elements of the landscape and their variying textures. A strong vision of the resilience of Australian native flora.
https://www.cossackartawards.com.au/store/p/7016
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Cossack Art Awards is proudly presented by the City of Karratha with Principal Partner Rio Tinto; Category Sponsors Citic Pacific Mining, Pilbara Development Commission, Pilbara Ports, Rio Tinto and Stardeck Group; Public Program sponsors Woodside Energy and its joint venture partners, and Fortescue, Children's Art Award sponsors Dunnart, Powertech and Paintbox; and Event sponsors IAS Fine Art Logistics, Cleanaway, and Santos