A brutalist clay sculpture has taken out the coveted main prize in the 2025 Minnawarra Art Awards.
Charmaine Ball, who was announced as the winner of the $12,000 acquisitive City of Armadale Art Award, has said the prize money is a welcome relief.
“It’s been really tough for a lot of artists out there recently,” she said. “The pandemic shuttered quite a few galleries, including one that was selling my work.”
Charmaine has also become a full-time carer to her daughter who has a chronic illness and can’t leave the house.
“I haven’t been out like this in about six months, because I’m worried about bringing something home as she’s immune compromised,” she said.
“In many ways, my house has become like a fortress. And, I guess my work reflects this feeling in many ways.”
The judges said Charmaine’s winning piece, called ‘Intrigue’, had a “timelessness about the form and shape”.
“When walking around this bold clay sculpture, the planes become active and seem to keep moving,” they said.
“The conscious decision to work with a porous, chalky surface entices a slower looking as the light bounces through and off the form. The statement evokes the historical and material context for the work and reflects on the evolution of modern sculpture.”
Photographs – Richard Polden.
A bedazzled scene of a shooting star by Carla Adams titled ‘The Search Continues’ took out the $5,000 non-acquisitive Gerry Gauntlett Award.
The judges commented that the work “deliciously lacks self-confidence yet is underpinned by tenacious material decisions and an exacting focus”.
Brett Nannup won the $3000 acquisitive Aboriginal Artist Award with his piece ‘Wunda’.
Leesa Padget’s ‘Macro’ won the judges’ favour and the $3000 acquisitive Local Artist Award.
While a second sculpture, titled ‘Grasping For What’s Still Available’ by Holly O’Meehan was Highly Commended and awarded $2000.
The Minnawarra Art Awards officially kicked off the opening of Armadale Arts Festival.
Mayor Butterfield said the awards, in their 28th year, “continue to showcase an exceptional range of artworks from across Western Australia”.
“We are proud that these awards always provide a high-quality arts experience for our community to enjoy,” she said.
The artwork will remain on display at the Kim Fletcher Gallery at the Armadale District Hall throughout the Armadale Art Festival, and will feature several additional events like the Positive Ageing High Tea, Artists Floor Talks and Tactile Tours.
To find out more, visit the Armadale Arts Festival website.
Photographs – Richard Polden
