In the Spotlight: KAB Gallery Artists are Finalists in the 2024 Hunters Hill Art Prize

I am excited to share that three of KAB Gallery’s stable artists have been selected as finalists in the historic Hunters Hill Art Prize this year. This popular Sydney art prize is a key event for many within in the Sydney art scene making it very competitive. The exhibition features selected finalist artworks from both local and regional talent in the running for the main prize.

The opening party has developed in recent years into a significant event for collectors and art investors seeking to discover Sydney’s top artists and invest in collectable art.

Congratulations to Kelly-Anne Love, Jacki Fewtrell-Gobert and John Klein

Kelly-Anne Love

This year marks Kelly-Anne Love’s fifth time as a finalist in the Hunters Hill Art Prize. This achievement reflects both her commitment to her art practice and her growing influence and popularity among collectors. Her three large ink and watercolour paintings have once again won over the judges. This year’s finalist works are  titled “True Love” Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo, “Looking Out as Dusk Falls” Masked Owl, and Magpie Bathed in Golden Light. They are colourful and beautifully represent her love for Australia’s wildlife and birds. I’m excited to see her in the running for the win.

I had the opportunity to ask Love about her connection to the three artworks and this is what she had to say: 

“Masked owls represent to me a connection to inner wisdom and the feeling of having a guardian that watches over us. The background colours connect with mood at dusk, the bridge between the light and the darkness a magical hour layered with black, white and gold lines to give a stained-glass stylised feel.” Explained Kelly-Anne Love

“I love watching magpie families from my studio, especially feeding time, I feel a shared motherly connection to seeing how they tend to the needs of their offspring while they grow. The gold is a representation of the late afternoon Australian sun and the warmth of the golden light that surrounds them.” explains Kelly-Anne Love
 

“Cockatoos are not only beautiful, social but they breed with one partner for life and this is the inspiration for this artwork. The stain glass stylised background is a swirl of rich romantic colours, bright oranges, reds, green, blue and pinks with the symbolism of roses in black, white & gold outlines in repetition reiterating the feeling of True Love” says Kelly-Anne Love

 

Jacki Fewtrell-Gobert

Fewtrell-Gobert is well known for her use of colour and vibrancy so it sis particularly interesting to see how well she takes to the stormy scene with charcoal. This artwork shows how well she illustrates any mood and atmosphere. Jacki Fewtrell-Gobert is a finalist with her charcoal artwork “Storm Over Brooklyn.” This evocative artwork presents a chromatic streetscape of her local Brooklyn suburb caught in a rainy storm. The energy of the rain, combined with the stillness of the street, highlights Jacki’s unique ability to convey emotion through her work. Her excellent use of the charcoal medium adds to the depth and drama of the scene, making her a standout among this years finalists! 

John Klein

John Klein has been recognised for two impressive works this year. His portrait “Double Act,” featuring actor Todd McKenney (currently starring as the Wizard in the stage production of Wicked) and his greyhound Nance Hayes, is a compelling study of personality and poise. The striking pose of Todd in a tuxedo standing with next to the greyhound’s sleek form, highlighted by a bold red leash, creates an unforgettable image. Todd standing on his driveway which has recently become a known setting while his house was marketed for sale.

“..his beautiful greyhound, Nancy Hayes, who sadly passed away recently. In this work I wanted to highlight the work that Todd does as an ambassador for @gapnsw (Greyhound As Pets)” explains Klein

Information about contributing to Greyhounds As Pets – Click here

Klein’s second finalist piece, a still life titled “Dancing in the Nude is Just My Cup of Tea,” is a playful yet elegant composition that blends art deco influences with modern sensibilities. Both works demonstrate his versatility as one of Sydney’s top artists to watch.

Hunters Hill Art Prize: Est 1955

Since its inception in 1955, the Hunters Hill Art Prize has grown into one of Sydney’s most prestigious art exhibitions, attracting a wide array of talented artists. This annual event, held at Hunters Hill Town Hall, offers collectors and investors a unique opportunity to acquire works from both emerging and established artists. From paintings and sculptures to mixed media, the exhibition showcases the rich diversity of the Australian art scene.

The 2024 edition promises to be another spectacular showcase, and we are incredibly proud to have our KAB Gallery artists featured among the finalists. With such strong competition from the broader Sydney arts community, this recognition is a testament to their talent and commitment to practise.

Whether you’re looking to invest in art or simply experience some of Sydney’s best creative talent, the Hunters Hill Art Prize is an unmissable event.

Good luck to our KAB Gallery Finalists – the prizes are certainly good and I am confident you will bring them all home! 

PRIZES

• Hunters Hill Art Prize  – $8,000
• McGrath Hunters Hill Regional Art Prize – $5,000
• Hunters Hill Hotel Sculpture Prize – $2,000
• Water Colour Prize – $2,000
• Smaller Works Prize – $1,000
• Nora Heysen Award – $500
• People’s Choice Award- $1,000
• Kids’ Choice Prize – $500

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.