York Botanic Art Prize
As the second York Botanic Art Prize, this exhibition was conceived to celebrate this abundance of unique flora and highlight the importance of its conservation in the face of increasing threats.
This 2021 exhibition was judged by Ryonen Butcher, Sharon Tassicker and Mikaela Castledine, with the following artists selected for the prize; George Aitken, Bryce Anderson, Luke Barlow, Natalie Blom, Jack Buckley, Claire Bushby + Donna Franklin, Sophie Carnell, Jacky Cheng, Erin Coates, Jennifer Cochrane, Sue Codee, Jane Coffey, Jo Darvall, Joanne Duffy, Sarah Elson
Audrey Fernandes-Satar, Angela Ferolla, Jenny Gilbertson, Hannah Goggs, Joanne Haywar, Sam Hopkins, Rebecca Jensen, Leahlani Johnson, Megan Juresa, mkticks, Aleisha King, Sophie La Maitre, Camilla Loveridge, Lucille Martin, Shauna Mayben, Rebecca Mayo, Mark Mohel, Annette Nykiel, Holly O'Meehan, Pamela Pauline, Krystle Ricci, Tracey Robinson, Judy Rogers , Gai Saunders, Bella Scharfenstein, Valerie Schöenjahn, Doug Schofield, Bruce + Nicole Slatte, Colleen Southwell, Joanna Sulkowski, Louise Wells, Robin Wells, Laura Williams, Jude Willis and Peter Zappa.
Threatening Time is a series of grey and charcoal ceramic sculptures inspired by the Banksia coccinea flower. A speculative interpretation of the inevitable evolution of the landscape and vegetation, these plants have been forced into action by harsh human interference. Although a dark and morbid reality, my art practice suggests a rather hopeful yet aggressive reaction as a form of self defence by the “slow movers” of our natural environment. Spikes and thorns replace delicate petals, that have up till now been defenceless from our adulteration of the land. Endemic to the Great Southern Region, the Banksia coccinea represents a central floral icon in relation to my childhood. Growing up on a farm north of Koi Kyenunu-Ruff/Stirling Rangers, the importance of vegetation and landscape conservation seem to be limited with in the National Park and not apply to the vast land now consumed by seasonal crops and live stock. This is something I have been struggling with over recent years and believe more needs to be done to help the land that falls outside of national park boundaries.