‘Deceptively simple’ artwork takes out major City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Art Prize win

A “complex but deceptively simple” artwork has taken out the major award in this year’s City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder Art Prize. WA artist Brad Rimmer’s evocative piece, Konnongorring Hall, Spring 2020, won the $15,000 prize after judges praised its careful attention to detail and timeless quality. “This piece is deceptively simple, but its complexity reveals itself over time,” the judges said. “While site-specific, it feels universal. The work could have been taken 60 years ago, yet remains ageless. “We all felt a stillness when viewing it, with every decision on composition and light carefully considered.” The $4000 Kalgoorlie-Boulder Artist category was won by Andrew Saltmarsh for his From the Ashes piece, which judges said skilfully highlighted the natural form of the sheoak wood without “overdoing it”. “The result is a vessel that brings life and history to the found object,” they said. The $2000 Young Artist prize was won by Lachlan Davis for his Prospects piece which judges said displayed impressive technical skill and maturity for such a young artist. “The sense of narrative and ambitious scale is complemented by the artist’s sophisticated use of colour and composition,” the judges said. Renee Rose was awarded the $3000 First Nations award for her artwork Connected, which judges said was painted with a harmonious and soothing palette. The Painting Award went to Jordan Andreotta for Burning House and Brett Leigh Dicks took out the Photography award for his shot of the corner of Hannan and Maritana streets. Works on Paper was won by Everlyn Sturges for her piece Blue, and Jodie Leahy won the Mixed Media and Textile award for her piece WHO AM I? Douglas Wilson’s Wallawani piece took home the 3D Works awards. Mayor Glenn Wilson said the Art Prize was important for both the local community and the wider arts scene. “It’s not just about showcasing talent, but about bringing people together and celebrating the creativity that exists in our own backyard,” he said. “Whether you’re a new artist or someone who’s been doing this for years, this event gives everyone a chance to shine. “The exhibition is receiving more and more attention from across Australia, and it really puts Kalgoorlie-Boulder on the map as a place where arts and culture thrive. It’s also great to see how it connects us to the wider arts community.” Mr Wilson said his favourite part of the Art Prize was the sense of togetherness it provided the community. “Whether you’re an artist, a resident, or visiting our city, there’s something special about walking through the exhibition and seeing all the incredible work,” he said. “It gives us all a chance to take a break, appreciate some amazing art, and feel proud of what’s happening in our city.” The exhibition is open daily from 10am to 3pm from Saturday to October 18. Admission is free and visitors are encouraged to vote for the People’s Choice Award, with the winner to be announced after the exhibition concludes.