Over a decade of Art: Est. 2013

Gosford Art Prize 2021 – KAB Gallery Artist Finalists

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  • Kerry-Anne Blanket
  • 17/09/2021

The Gosford Art Prize is the premier art prize of the Central Coast region, with local and national artists engaging in the competition. The exhibition of finalists showcases art by artists from across the nation competing for over $25,000 in prizes.

Prizes

  • First Prize – $15,000
  • Second Prize – $5,000
  • Aboriginal Artist Prize – $2,500
  • Gosford Ceramics Prize – $2,000
  • Highly Commended – $1,000 (two prizes)
  • Viewer’s Choice Award – $500 gift voucher

Prizes are awarded for 2-dimensional artworks (including painting, drawing, printing, and mixed media), photography & digital media, sculpture and ceramics. This year’s COVID-19 lockdown meant submissions were accepted online only, but now the finalists will be invited to deliver their work to the gallery with the winners judged in-person prior to the exhibition at Gosford Regional Gallery. It’s planned that the gallery will reopen in October 2021 when NSW should reach the 80% double-dose vaccination goal. The Art Prize Exhibition is set to be the main feature of the reopening celebration.

In a year that has been challenging for the arts industry, it’s occasions such a these that really breathe a sense of excitement into the year, and KAB Gallery is so proud of our artists who have been selected as finalists.

Congratulations to our 2021 FINALISTS

Kelly-Anne Love & Ben Tankard

“Chef Love” by Kelly-Anne Love life doesn’t stop just because the world does

 

A portrait of my husband David Love. Together 17 years on the Central Coast we have 2 children and 2 dogs and 100 bills that don’t stop just because covid-19 lockdown is putting us all in difficult positions to survive financially. But he understands that restrictions, vaccinations and masks are essential so he can work and he will do what he believes to be right for his fellow workers, society and his family to keep them safe and protected and fed. He is a passionate local chef and it reflects in his cooking is always created with heart and wealth of knowledge. Kelly-Anne Love

 

“VB and Honey Chicken” by Ben Tankard A rich, colourful, decadent painting of a succulent Chinese meal

 

 I’ve been painting this series for about two years now, inspired by fond memories (and continuing experiences) at Australian Chinese restaurants. The Chinese restaurant paintings are a celebration of good times with friends and family, bright decor and delicious foods. Chinese restaurants are a beloved feature of so many Australian towns and suburbs and I wanted to pay tribute to them. One of the paintings in this series won the $10,000 Hawkesbury Art Prize in 2019, and they have since been included in some prestigious gallery shows. The paintings are a celebration of the good things in life, the simple pleasures of good food and drink with family and friends. I love the fluorescent sauces, the blue willow plates, the splatter on the tablecloths. Ben Tankard

 

Both Kelly-Anne Love and Ben Tankard are now three-time finalists of the Gosford Art Prize, a fantastic achievement for such a prestigious competition.

KAB Gallery’s newest artist, Pete Rush, is also a finalist with a unique painting of his sculpture “Mr Baboon Delivers Another Horse”. This spectacular piece was created using cuttlefish ink and measures 1.8m long. It is a  must-see finalist work from the exhibition.

It is also very encouraging that two new KAB Gallery artist’s, Melanie Hind and Maree Azzopardi who are both set to exhibit during 2022 at KAB Gallery, are Finalists too!

I wish all of the finalists good luck this year, and will be keeping a keen eye out for this years winner! 

Click HERE for a full list of Gosford Art Prize Finalists for 202

Kerry-Anne Blanket, Director & Curator - KAB Gallery
About the author

Kerry-Anne Blanket

Director & Curator - KAB Gallery

KAB Gallery’s Kerry-Anne Blanket holds a Bachelor of Visual Arts and two Masters degrees (Hons) from the University of Sydney. With an extensive career in art education along with the management of museums and investment art galleries, Kerry-Anne can offer premier art consulting to her clients and source specially requested works. 

She has a keen eye for detail, comprehensive art market knowledge and a love of all things beautiful. Kerry-Anne works directly with artists and collectors alike to curate interesting and eclectic exhibitions.