UNESAP 2023 | WINNERS

UNESAP 2023 | WINNERS

Each year a professional artist is invited to judge the award and to select the winners that are announced at the launch of the exhibition. This year, the judge is local artist Isabelle Devos. Isabelle Devos is a contemporary Australian painter known for her bold and evocative landscape paintings that convey a serene yet powerful sense of place and atmosphere. She was born in Belgium but her artistic journey began in Canada where she pursued her passion for art at an art school on the east coast.

The four First Prize-winning artworks will become a part of the UNE art collection and will be displayed around the University campus in Armidale. Please see the winning artworks below and our judge, Isabelle Devos’s comments below.

“I felt that I could easily have awarded many prizes in each category. The art works are exciting, beautiful and strong. It is a really difficult thing, to pick just a few out of a group of wonderful art works but of course, some captured my attention just that little bit more. I am so impressed with the art work in this exhibition here at NERAM and I hope everyone who submitted their art work is very proud of their creative talents.” Isabelle Devos, UNESAP 2023

WINNER | INFANTS CATEGORY K-2

Indi Rose Quinn, Chip, paint, Kinder, Chatsworth Island Public School (Image detail)

“A beautifully observed painting of the iconic seaside seagull, with the bold red legs and eye. The colourful brushstrokes depict the seagull perfectly and show the landscape where Chip lives.” Isabelle Devos, UNESAP 2023

 

RUNNER UP | INFANTS CATEGORY K-2

Mackenzie Larkings, Pretty Bunny World in the Night, watercolour, Year 1, St Patrick’s Primary School, Walcha (Image detail)

“The bright and balanced colours of the bunnies and the stars in the night sky create a joyful image.” Isabelle Devos, UNESAP 2023

HIGHLY COMMENDED | INFANTS CATEGORY K-2

Kate Mitchell, The Mountain Ranges, oil pastel and paint, Year 1, Premer Public School (Image detail)

“A beautiful picture of the hills and greenery of this landscape, with lovely shading in the mountains.” Isabelle Devos, UNESAP 2023

HIGHLY COMMENDED | INFANTS CATEGORY K-2

Sunny Van Ingen, Maggie, watercolour, Year 2, Tamworth Public School (Image detail)

“A cheeky and bold depiction of a magpie that shows great observation with confident bold lines and shapes that show the personality of this bird.” Isabelle Devos, UNESAP 2023

WINNER | PRIMARY CATEGORY 3-6

Alice Pearson, Pieces of Kokoda, collage, Year 5, Martin’s Gully Public School (Image detail).

“An exciting composition of images of nature and plants coupled with soldiers and the human form to tell a story and invite the view into the dramatic scene. It is a quietly powerful work that rewards the viewer with complexity of tone and colours.” Isabelle Devos, UNESAP 2023

RUNNER UP | PRIMARY CATEGORY 3-6

Harrison Cain, Kittens, photography, Year 4, Rocky River Public School (Image detail)

“A beautiful photograph of two cats on a patterned sheet with a unique and excellent composition capturing the character of the pets in a colourful and non-traditional photographic work.” Isabelle Devos, UNESAP 2023

HIGHLY COMMENDED | PRIMARY CATEGORY 3-6

Freda Schaeffer, Onslow and his drool, paint, watercolour and chalk pastel, Year 3, PLC Armidale.

“I was impressed by the sensitive lines and marks that show us the character of this pet. The colours are bold and exciting.” Isabelle Devos, UNESAP 2023

HIGHLY COMMENDED | PRIMARY CATEGORY 3-6

Ryka Pankaj, Peaceful Whispers in Serenity, watercolour paint, Year 6, Ben Venue Public School

“A beautifully painted landscape and waterfall scene with sensitive colour and composition and a wonderful sky.” Isabelle Devos, UNESAP 2023

WINNER | JUNIOR CATEGORY 7-9

Micah Wilson, Mother with Cats, acrylic paint, Year 9, Armidale Secondary College (Image detail)

“The colours and beautifully sensitive composition of a domestic interior complete with art works, plants, pets and people, creating a complex work that rewards the viewer in the details .” Isabelle Devos, UNESAP 2023

RUNNER UP | JUNIOR CATEGORY 7-9

Kai Janjic, Jelly Fashes, digital art, Year 9, ALESCO Senior School, Tuncurry (Image detail)

“A combination of strong colours and composition containing beautiful details which gives a contemporary feeling of an underwater landscape.” Isabelle Devos, UNESAP 2023

HIGHLY COMMENDED | JUNIOR CATEGORY 7-9

Sofia Gonzalez, Drowning, paint, crayon, marker and pencil, Year 8, St Clare’s High School, Taree.

“A strong work with excellent painting technique and strong composition with a powerful message about society.” Isabelle Devos, UNESAP 2023

WINNER | SENIOR CATEGORY 10-12

Helena McLean, God shall smite the liars, acrylic paint, Year 10, Narrabri High School (Image detail).

“A dark and powerful painting that conveys a sense of internal feelings and emotions,  referencing other art works while maintaining a unique and personal message. It is an art work that continually draws quiet attention, encouraging contemplation and philosophical discourse.” Isabelle Devos, UNESAP 2023

RUNNER UP | SENIOR CATEGORY 10-12

Darius Naylor, My Story, acrylic painting, Year 10, Walcha Central School (Image detail).

“A strong and powerful painting with symbols and colours of personal significance. The variety of tone and lines create a strong and inviting image.”  Isabelle Devos, UNESAP 2023

HIGHLY COMMENDED | SENIOR CATEGORY 10-12

Kya-Rose Read, On the Train, digital drawing, Year 12, Tenterfield High School (Image detail).

“An evocative scene of travel rendered in soft tones with a beautiful composition.” Isabelle Devos, UNESAP 2023

DIRECTOR’S CHOICE

Kalani Maduwage, Ostrich (after Brett Whiteley), indian ink, Year 7, PLC Armidale (Image detail).

“I loved the character and  movement in the work captured in a flow of ink. I also appreciated the reference to Whitely, the influence is there in style but the work is not a copy.  I would love to have this work hanging on my wall, it would make me smile everyday.” Rachael Parsons, NERAM Director

PEOPLE'S CHOICE AWARD 2023

Sunny Van Ingen, ‘Maggie’, watercolour, Year 2, Tamworth Public School