A contemporary monochromatic painting by Sydney artist Pollyxenia Joannou has won first prize in the 2016 Redland Art Awards, announced on Friday at the Redland Art Gallery in Cleveland.
Redland City mayor Karen Williams said this year’s awards had attracted a very high standard of works, which ensured judging the biennial awards was incredibly difficult.
Cr Williams announced the winners during Friday’s official opening of an exhibition of the finalists.
“Congratulations to Pollyxenia Joannou for her stunning painting ‘Duplicity’, which was awarded first place in the 2016 Redland Art Awards and will now become part of Redland Art Gallery’s permanent collection,” she said.
Brisbane artists Monica Rohan won second prize for ‘Heads up Shoulders back’ and Carol McGregor was awarded the local environment prize for her work ‘Black seeds’.
Cr Williams said more than 400 entries had been received from across Australia this year, with judges given an unenviable task of shortlisting to just 50 works before selecting the winners, who shared more than $20,000 in prize money.
“An exhibition of the finalists will be on show until November 27 at Redland Art Gallery, and includes works by four Redland-based artists and two Quandamooka artists currently residing outside the city,” she said.
“I encourage everyone to visit the exhibition and cast their vote for the $500 Meredith Foxton People's Choice Award, proudly sponsored by Redland Yurara Art Society.’
The award will be announced on the Redland Art Awards website on November 17.