By Garry Howe
Gembrook artist Sue Jarvis was pleased to win the top prize at the weekend’s Art Show Pakenham, saying that “it means a great deal to win something in your own shire”.
But she was thrilled at the local presence in the region’s premier visual arts event – and that locals took a fair share of the spoils.
Ms Jarvis, who only weeks ago was a contender in the famed Archibald Prize for a portrait of rapper Motley, also lauded the number of younger artists exhibiting across a range of mediums.
“This year a lot of winners were local, which is great, and a lot of younger ones as well,” she said. “We have artists in their 20s and 30s taking an interest and from that point of view it was terrific.”
The piece that won Ms Jarvis the Gold Medal as best in show was of a participant in the Lion Dance in Springvale and inspired by her passion to capture a visual history of the region.
For years she has been capturing images of the changing landscape of the City of Greater Dandenong and more recently the Cardinia Shire. Her latest subject has been the area around the Devonia Park estate.
It had been highly commended at an exhibition last year of the Melbourne Society of Women Painters and Sculptures.
The silver medal went to Warragul artist Julie Hayes for her steel sculpture of a horse, Movement, and the bronze medal to Geoff Sergeant for his work the Silk Road Bemiyan 1970-Buddha’s Lament 2001.
Ms Jarvis paid tribute to the organisers of Art Show Pakenham,
“It is run by volunteers and if it wasn’t for Jillian Ronald and her team we wouldn’t have the show,” she said.
That sentiment was backed up by art show committee president George Blenkhorn, who said it took 30 hours to set up the room.
“The last of the volunteers left at 3am on Thursday,” he said.
Cardinia mayor Graeme Moore, a stalwart of the Yakkerboo Festival, reflected upon the art show’s humble beginnings.
“Look at where it has come now, thanks to the wonderful committee,” he said.
“This show has been running for more than 40 years and is a highly anticipated event for so many people.
“The community has changed a lot over that time and that change is reflected in the artwork on display.”
Cardinia Shire CEO Carol Jeffs officially opened the show.
She said Jillian Ronald was the first to approach her to speak when she started the role late last year.
Ms Jeffs said the art show began in 1976 and it had been bringing the community together in the name of art ever since.
She said art gave people from all walks of life the opportunity to express themselves and to be their best self.
“Arts play a critical role in the community,” she said. “It can help us think about and address the social issues we face and plays an important role in helping build a cultural identity for the region.”
Jillian Ronald declared the show a huge success, with record entries and visitor numbers doubling.
Ms Ronald said she received many comments from visitors and the judges said that this was the highest quality show to date.
“Our aim is to provide the best quality art show we can to support artists and give the residents the opportunity to see and purchase original art,” she said.
“With 27 artworks sold and more visitors enjoying the exhibition, the committee members are extremely tired but very happy.”
