The Calleen Art Award is an acquisitive painting prize in any subject and style. The award was founded in 1977 by Mrs Patricia Fagan OAM and is made possible by the generous support of the Calleen Trust. The winner of the Calleen Art Award 2021 will receive $25,000 and the winning artwork will join the Calleen Collection at the Cowra Regional Art Gallery.

I am delighted to announce that Pandani/Pandemic has been selected as one of the finalist works for this exhibition. It is with great courage and support to the arts community that despite the current lockdowns in NSW the art prize and exhibition is still on although dates have been moved.

the work selected is

Pandani/Pandemic, 2020

Site: Mt Field N.P. post Covid lock down

Oil on Masonite and Japanese Ply

700 x 600 mm, 30mm tondo

artist statement :

“I find ancient Pandani Grove in Mt Field National Park has a deeply nurturing and reassuring; it’s something about the enduring timelessness of these giant subalpine heath plants. This painting was done post our first lockdown. During the lockdown I was daily painting colour charts, as a mediative self-discipline. When I was finally able to go out, the Pandani Grove was my first visit. With this new appreciation of freedom, the landscape and colour charts formed a unique synergy.”