One of the most prestigious art prizes in NSW, the Parliament Plein Air Painting Prize with a grand prize of $20,000, will soon open to the delight of artists all over the state.
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En plein air, or “in plain air”, is a genre of art where artists combat against the elements of nature to create works which glorify the landscape.
Griffith Regional Art Gallery Coordinator Ray Wholohan is looking to encourage Griffith artists to enter their work.
“Artists in Griffith are inextricably connected to the landscape because we live in a very unique landscape out here, due to its natural features but also because of the irrigation and the way the irrigation dictates the landscape,” Mr Wholohan said.
Mr Wholohan illustrated the genre of en plein air painting with works by Riverina-based artist Phil Henderson, who appropriates Australian style paintings and adds a science fiction element to it; in the case of Mr Henderson’s series, Star Wars characters and elements.
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“I know a lot of local artists who love to engage in the genre of landscape painting because of that inspiration, and a lot of them use that en plein air techniques that were refined by the impressionists in France in the 1800s,” he said.
Mr Wholohan said he knows many talented artists who he believes should enter to not only promote their own arts practice but also promote the unique landscape of the MIA.
He said if a Griffithite were to win it would “make an exemplar of our region’s artistic contribution to NSW; it would heighten the profile of us artistically, and not only would it be fantastic for that particular artist but also help other people become more interested in arts and arts education in the area also.”
Mr Wholohan would like to see members of the Prioneer Park painters group enter the prize, as well as those who participate in the life drawing classes at the gallery.
“They have been up there painting for many, many years and a lot of those artists are very talented masters of their crafts, and they are very much engaged in landscape painting,” he said.
“They should all put their hand in the ring to try and go for this prize.”
Mr Wholohan said art tutor Linzie Ellis currently runs weekend art workshops at Lake Wyangan focusing on landscape works.
The weekend workshop will from 10am until 3pm on Saturday June 30. Sessions are $20 each and materials and morning tea are provided.
Entries for the En Plein Air art prize open Monday July 2 and close Monday August 6. For more information visit www.pleinair.com.au
