The love of outback Australia was a major influence for local artist Kairen Kerr, who took out top prize at The 46th Rio Tinto & QAL Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards 2021 held at the Gladstone Regional Art Gallery and Museum (GRAGM) on Saturday, 16 October.

Kairen won the coveted Rio Tinto & QAL Martin Hanson Memorial Art Award for her artwork TENTBOXERS, taking home $15,000 in the process.

Thirteen awards were announced across four sections – Easel Paintings, Works on Paper, Three Dimensional & Fibre Works and Digital Works – with a further six awards in the overall category.

Section winners included Home, in a New Rhythm by Kym Barrett (Easel Paintings), Just for Show by Roslyn Head (Works on Paper), You can’t always see the Blues by Jude Kennedy (Three Dimensional & Fibre Works) and Quixotic Response by Kristel Kelly (Digital Works).

There were 182 entries with Easel Paintings the most popular section with 87 pieces submitted.

Kairen said her inspiration behind TEXTBOXERS was formed at an early age.

“I grew up touring Australia with my mum and dad in a caravan and we saw a lot of the old outback Australia,” she said.

“It always intrigued me – the tent boxing and the old Australian way of life.”

Having previously entered the Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards, Kairen was still coming to terms that she won the major prize.

“I love coming here to see the other paintings and meeting up with other artists is always inspiring,” she said.

“There were some amazing entries and to be judged among them is a privilege – it’s an honour and I can’t believe that I won.”

Judge of The 46th Rio Tinto & QAL Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards 2021, Tracey Cooper-Lavery said TENTBOXERS was a piece that continually caught her eye during the judging period.

“I kept coming back to this work again and again,” Tracy said during Saturday’s Awards presentation, which is available to view on the GRAGM Facebook page.

“This work focusses on a scene from a history of tent boxing troupes, like those of Jimmy Sharman.

“For years young Indigenous boxers fought in a round or two for a pound or two in touring tent boxing circuses.

“Legendary talents were born under these tents such as Lionel Rose and Tony Mundine. More recently the tradition has continued through the tent boxing troupe of Fred Brophy.”

Gladstone Region Mayor Matt Burnett thanked everyone who entered this year’s awards.

“All of the 182 entrants should feel extremely proud of what they have achieved,” Councillor Burnett said.

“Your attendance, participation and advocacy for the arts in our region is acknowledged and remains a vital and important part of our social fabric.

“We must continue to develop and support the arts in our region and the Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards certainly help in achieving that goal.”

Cr Burnett also thanked sponsors and 2021 judge Tracy Cooper-Lavery.

“Tracy took the time to speak at our Sponsors Preview and Judge’s Floor Talk and passed on some of her knowledge that I’m sure will inspire those in attendance,” Cr Burnett said.

“She came to us having experienced the Central Queensland way of life given one of her previous roles was at the Rockhampton Art Gallery.”

“Thank you, Tracy, for taking the time to come up to Gladstone to judge these prestigious awards.”

Cr Burnett reminded people to vote in the QAL People’s Choice Awards between now and 25 November and that all artworks would be on display at GRAGM until 29 January 2022.

“It’s now time for the public to have their say on what they believe is the best artwork from The 46th Rio Tinto & QAL Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards 2021 by voting in the QAL People’s Choice Awards,” he said.

“The voting kiosks at GRAGM will be open between now and 4.30pm on Thursday, 25 November so please take the time to fill out your entry and vote for who you believe should win one of four QAL People’s Choice Awards.”

Please visit http://gragm.qld.gov.au/art-awards for more information on the Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards.

WINNERS LIST

OVERALL

• The 46th Rio Tinto & QAL Martin Hanson Memorial Art Award ($15,000) Kairen Kerr TENTBOXERS
• The Pamela Whitlock Memorial Acquisitive Award, sponsored by Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum ($5000) Christine Holden Pods
• The Pieter Groen-int-woud Memorial Young Emerging Artist Award, sponsored by Multitrade Building Hire ($1500) Katie Houvelroud Passed Out
• The Local Murri Artist Award, sponsored by Elizabeth & Leo Zussino ($1500) Trinity Johnson In between the pages
• The Local Artist Award, sponsored by Gail Sellers ($1000) Diana Carey Grab It
• The Installers Choice Award, sponsored by Laureen Tkacik ($500) Marina Andrews Max Joyriding

SECTION 1: Easel Paintings

• First Prize, sponsored by QER Pty Ltd ($2000) Kym Barrett Home, in a New Rhythm
• Second Prize, sponsored by Gladstone Area Water Board ($1000) Beryl Wood Almost There!
• Third Prize, sponsored by Gladstone Cinemas ($500) Clinton Barker Boomerang Moon
• Highly commended, Gladstone Community Linking Agency Dolphin in Paradise

SECTION 2: Works on Paper

• First Prize, sponsored by Australia Pacific LNG ConocoPhillips ($2000) Roslyn Head Just for Show
• Second Prize, sponsored by Reef City Motors ($1000) Ruth Cho Why the Yellow Face?
• Third Prize, sponsored by Natalia Muszkat ($500) Geoffrey Head Entangled

SECTION 3: Three Dimensional & Fibre Works

• First Prize, sponsored by Gladstone Ports Corporation ($2000) Jude Kennedy You can’t always see the Blues
• Second Prize, sponsored by 4CC ($1000) Megan Puls “WAVEBREAK”
• Third Prize, sponsored by Gladstone Picture Framing and Art Materials ($500) Rod Butler Faithful in Adversity

SECTION 4: Digital Works

• First Prize, sponsored by Gladstone Engineering Alliance ($2000) Kristel Kelly Quixotic Response
• Second Prize, sponsored by CQUniversity ($1000) Anna Glynn Cloudbird
• Third Prize, sponsored by GAPDL ($500) James Walden FOREIGN CORRESPONDENT.