Media Release 10 June 2013
Dust and dirt take out top prize
Artecycle: The Environmental Art Award and Exhibition
Image: Jeremy Blincoe, ‘Untitled’, c-type print
In its sixth year, Artecycle at the Walter Burley Griffin Incinerator Gallery is as relevant as ever, showing the power of art to convey the serious themes of environmentalism and sustainability.
The winner of this year’s $10,000 top award is Hannah Bertram for her work Evolving From and Devolving Towards Nothing. She has used dust and particles collected from around the Incinerator Gallery site, which has been used to stencil a beautifully intricate pattern on the gallery’s floor; essentially revealing the fragility of our natural environment. It resembles a funeral wreath of native flowers, and speaks poetically about the loss of beauty and the physicality of universal decay that exists all around us, but often goes unseen or unnoticed.
One of the judges of this year’s award, Bronwyn Johnson, executive director of CLIMARTE and former director of the Melbourne Art Fair, said Artecycle was an important exhibition in the year for artists to connect with audiences about these serious themes.
“Artistic expression has always been used to address and depict social dilemmas, challenges and contradictions, providing viewers a safe environment to digest the complexity and diversity of views in our society, of which environmental issues are increasingly being examined and emerging as a social dichotomy.
“This year’s Artecycle submissions have demonstrated a move beyond the idea of just reusing discarded objects, with artists embracing a responsible use of materials and taking a holistic approach to sustainability, in all areas of their art practice,” said Bronwyn.
Mayor of Moonee Valley, Cr. Narelle Sharpe, said this year’s exhibition showed the importance of sustainability across the arts sector.
“There is a growing awareness of sustainability in the arts sector and the Incinerator Gallery is proud to be at the forefront of this movement, acknowledging and rewarding environmentally ethical approaches to art “said Cr. Sharpe.
Arts and culture portfolio holder, Cr. Jan Chantry, said the works in this year’s exhibition were truly diverse.
“We have been able to present a richer array of art forms in this exhibition, now that it has been opened beyond sculpture, with a broad range of conceptual ideas from optimistic and even romantic to sceptical and cynical in the environmental messages,” said Cr. Chantry.
Entry to the exhibition is free.
Interviews and photos are available on request.
Exhibition Information
Until 14 July
180 Holmes Road, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039
03 8325 1750
-ends-
Media Inquiries
Jack Giles
Marketing and Communications Officer
Arts and Culture – Moonee Valley City Council
+61 3 9243 1783 |
The Incinerator Gallery
03 8325 1750 | 180 Holmes Road, Moonee Ponds VIC 3039 |