The Premier and Minister for the Arts, Lara Giddings, has awarded the Premier's Choice Award to Pam Thorne, for her work 'Just by Reaching Out', at the 10th annual Bendigo Bank Material Girl Exhibition, held at the Moonah Arts Centre.

 

An initiative of Tasmanian Regional Arts, the Bendigo Bank Material Girl Exhibition aims to help build the profile of women artists in Tasmania to highlight the issues which influence their work.

 

"Material Girl provides a great opportunity for woman artists in Tasmania and showcases the tremendous diversity in their work," Ms Giddings said.

 

"When the exhibition first started 10 years ago, the focus was on textiles but now it incorporates all mediums, including printmaking, photography, sculpture, drawing and painting.

 

"The majority of the works deal with themes that directly affect or are intrinsically part of the lives of women.

 

"I have been impressed by the quality of the work which powerfully and skilfully depicts themes close the heart of women.

 

"Inspired by this year's theme "Speak to me!" the exhibits vividly address issues such as domesticity, aging, motherhood, relationships and abuse.

 

Announcing the Premiers Choice Award, Ms Giddings also congratulated major sponsors Bendigo Bank, Bell Bay Aluminium and Zonta International for their support of the exhibition.

 

"Through their sponsorship these organisations have acknowledged the incredible artistic talent that we have in Tasmania," Ms Giddings said.

 

Ms Giddings described Pam Thorne's winning entry for the Premier's Choice Award as a deceptively simple statue of a young child, with arms outstretched. 

"Pam's work is about a child's strength of spirit and optimism - and the child's ability to communicate clearly without using words or tools. 

"It is a powerful work which provides an interesting interpretation of the Exhibition's theme 'Speak to me'.

 

"The child in the statue is evocative of innocence, hope and the joy of connecting with other people though the language of gesture and touch". 

 

Ms Giddings described the importance of  a robust, diverse, vibrant arts sector in shaping  Tasmania's cultural and economic future. 

 

"The Government will continue to support activities like this Exhibition, that demonstrate excellence, nurture talent and express the unique perspectives of Tasmanian artists", Ms Giddings said.

 

Exhibition Award Winners:

 

Premiers Choice: Pam Thorne, 'Just by Reaching Out' (papier mache)

Bell Bay Aluminum Award for Overall Excellence: Susan McArthur, ''Engagement' (digital photograph)

Zonta Young Artist Award: Emily Blom, 'A Stitch in Time' (mixed media)

Zonta Award - Higly Commended: Joyce de Ruyter, 'Silent Communication' (coloured pencil drawing)

 

Exhibition Dates

Dates: Moonah Arts Centre, Friday, 11 May 2012 - Wednesday, 30 May 2012

 

Touring: From June 2012 - March 2013. Regional destinations are St Marys, Burnie, New Norfolk, Cygnet, Wynyard, Smithton, Emu Bay and Georgetown.

 

Check http://www.tasregionalarts.org.au/ for more information

 

To see work of the finalists, http://www.flickr.com/photos/material_girl_2012/