Eve Lamb
As a former Archibald finalist, Malmsbury’s Gabrielle Martin is no stranger to having her work noticed.
But the local artist says taking out this year’s I Be Human-themed Maldon Portrait Prize is particularly sweet in a locale renowned for its artistic talent.
Her win with oil painting The Ecologist, depicting longtime family friend and ecologist Dr Cassia Read, comes as the annual prize staged by the Maldon Artist Network enjoys a growing reputation among the nation’s significant portraiture awards.
For the first time this year it was opened up to artists nationwide and also to depicting portraiture subjects from anywhere in Australia.
But Martin says she opted to paint Dr Read – “because we have so many talented local people here”.
“I am so happy. It’s a real thrill,” Martin said when the Express asked for her reaction to taking out the year’s prize.
“I wanted to paint someone making a real contribution.
“Cassia is a big-picture person.”
She particularly points to the contribution her portrait subject’s work is making toward addressing some of humanity’s most pressing environmental problems including climate change.
Martin, who teaches painting for Castlemaine Community House’s popular Art Pathways course, mentions Dr Read’s role in setting up the Castlemaine Institute together with others including Dr Read’s partner, economist Warwick Smith.
“The Castlemaine Institute is really trying to think about ways to achieving a better future,” says Martin whose 2004 Archibald finalist portrait of her former painting teacher, Tony Clark, is currently on exhibition as part of the Archie 100 show in the Geelong Art Gallery.
That show, featuring 100 former Archibald Prize finalists remains open to February 20, with Martin currently working toward staging a new exhibition of as part of Castlemaine Art Museum’s Orbit program later this year.
While the exhibition of finalist works in the painting, drawing and mixed media section of this year’s Maldon Portrait Prize wrapped up on the weekend, the Maldon Portrait Prize now shifts focus to its new photography section, which also carries a $5000 prize.
“The winner of our new photography portrait prize will be announced of February 19,” co-convenor of the Maldon Artists Network Jenny Merkus says.
The Photographic Exhibition begins next Sunday February 20 and runs until February 27.
Merkus says this year’s move to partner with the town’s new Edge Galleries is contributing to the prize’s expanding reputation.
“It professionalises the show much more,” she says.
“This year as well we’ve made it Australia-wide. It’s got a higher profile and I think after four times people are getting to know it’s on.
“It has a lot of draw power and helps to give Maldon a creative reputation.”
An online exhibition including all entries has also been organised, running on March 1-June 15, and offering two People’s Choice Awards.
