MEDIA RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Friday March 52010
Succulence on show at Material Girl 2010
Entries have arrived from all over the state for the Material Girlannual art award and competition celebrating International Womens Day.
Managed by Tasmanian Regional Arts, Material Girlhas attracted prizes from major sponsors Zonta International and Rio Tinto together with the Premier’s Encouragement Award.
The theme for 2010 Material Girl is ‘Succulence’ with prize money totalling $3,500. The judging panel comprised the Director of Poimena Gallery and renowned artist, Katy Woodroffe, Launceston-based arts consultant, Dr. Jane Deeth and Regional Manager of Women Tasmania (North), Ella Dixon, who faced the challenge of selecting the winners from over 60 entries.
The theme has inspired responses from many angles with ideas involving food, sexuality and nurturing represented in painting, ceramics, textiles and sculpture; a couple of entrants also chose to interpret the word “succulent” as the plant form with surprising twists.
Many artworks tell a very personal story: “Growing Angus” by Louise Daniels of Ulverstone is a painting of a friend in pregnancy. It says “Work completed 12th January 2010. Angus completed 11th January 2010” – so new life and artwork occurred simultaneously.
Overall the exhibition is a colourful and diverse mix of works by experienced and emerging artists with over half the pieces as 3 dimensional artworks in fibre, glass and ceramics.
Doctor Marie Sierra, the new head of the art school at the University of Tasmania’s Academy of the Arts in Launceston will give the opening address and winners will be announced at the opening of the showcase exhibition at Poimena Gallery in Launceston on Friday March 12 at 6pm.
As in previous years, Tasmanian Regional Arts will tour a selection of works around the state throughout 2010. Further information of tour dates and venues can be found on the Tasmanian Regional Arts website: or by contacting the Material Girl Project Officer, Teresa Beck-Swindale on 6426 2344.
In keeping with Material Girl’s support for young and emerging women artists, the 2010 “Succulence” logo artwork was designed by Ashlee Griffiths of Port Sorrell.
A photo opportunity of hanging the artworks at Poimena Gallery, Launceston Church Grammar School exists for Wed 10th March. Please verify with Gallery Director Katy Woodroffe on 6336 6039.
Ends
Contact: the Material Girl Project Officer, Teresa Beck-Swindale on 6426 2344.
Tasmanian Regional Arts receives financial assistance from the Australia Council for the Arts and the Tasmanian Government through Arts Tasmania.