Tasmanian artist wins $6,000 art prize

Hobart artist Sara Maher is the inaugural winner of a new $6,000 art prize for the most outstanding interpretation of a Tasmanian heritage building.

Maher's mixed media work of Smith O'Brien's quarters was inspired by her residency on Maria Island as part of the State Government's Natural and Cultural Residency Program in 2006.

The inaugural Islington Salamanca Collection Art Prize is regarded as a most welcome and enriching addition to the diversity of art prizes on offer in Tasmania.

"The list of significant art prizes in this State includes, City of Hobart Art Prize, the Hutchins Prize and the John Glover Landscape Prize to name a few, and offers artists greater opportunities to develop their practice within the State.

The prize subject, a Tasmanian building older than 80 years, presents an opportunity for artists to focus on one of Tasmania's cherished assets from a collection of diverse and significant architectural heritage.

An art prize such as this draws attention to Tasmania's rich history and its wide cross section of architecture.
The prize attracted 50 entries representing artists from all over Tasmania.

The judges were highly-regarded artist Paul Boam and the Curator of Art at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, Sue Backhouse.

The inaugural Islington Salamanca Collection Art Prize is joint initiative of the Salamanca Collection and the Islington Hotel.

The Salamanca Collection is a long-time supporter of the arts and is one of Hobart's premier galleries.
The Islington Hotel, one of Tasmania's most luxurious and exclusive hotels, also supports the arts by decorating its walls with fine artworks and furnishing its rooms with antiques.

Entries by finalists and the winner of the prize are on display until 18 December 2007 at The Salamanca Collection, Salamanca Place, Hobart.

Exhibition visitors are asked to cast a vote for a People's Award. The winner will be announced on 13 December 2007.

You can see more works from the exhibition by visiting the website of
The Salamanca Collection.

[ IMAGE: Maria Island, Smith O’Brien’s Quarters by Sara Maher. Ink, charcoal pastel on 80x112. The winning work of the inaugural Islington Salamanca Collection Art Prize. Image courtesy of The Salamanca Collection. - click to view ]

[ IMAGE: Another Finalist: Hobart Fire Station by Richard Onn. Image courtesy of The Salamanca Collection. - click to view ]

[ IMAGE: Another Finalist: Custom House Across Constitution Dock at Night by Christopher Liaubon. Image courtesy of The Salamanca Collection. - click to view ]