ARTIST Damien Goerke says winning the City of Stirling’s biennial acquisitive art award is “life changing”.
The Bayswater artist’s drawing and mixed media piece Primary won the coveted award at the biennial exhibition, meaning the artwork will join the City’s collection.
Goerke said the accolade would help get closer to becoming a fulltime artist.
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READ NOW“Winning this award is literally life-changing as my piece Primary is also reflective of my path taking a new direction,” he said.
“For half my life I have been on medication for a heart condition which has finally been rectified.
“My imagination once held at bay due to my medication is now desperate to come out. After nearly always drawing exclusively in greyscale, I am now using primary colours.”
Balcatta’s Rachael Woodward received the young artist award for her digital work There Once Was…, described by judges as innovative in its application across various media to create an engaging narrative.
Innaloo artist Julie Silvester was awarded best local artist for pastel piece Morning Begins and Roly Skender won the inaugural digital award for Alien Ballet.
Other winners were Ross Potter for best drawing/mixed media, Norm Wilson for best painting, and a collaboration by Kate Rae and Kerry O’Flaherty won the sculpture award.
Deputy mayor Bianca Sandri presented the awards and said the entries were of a very high standard.
“The quality of the artworks submitted this year has been simply outstanding and is testament to our thriving and developing arts community,” she said.
The works are on display at the City administration centre on Saturday and Sunday, and visitors can vote for the people choice award.