The latest show opening at Coffs Harbour’s Regional Gallery on March 3 is ‘10 Years of EMSLA’, a retrospective of the Eutick Memorial Still Life Award that includes a very special exhibition of all the winning artworks from the past decade.
“The EMSLA is one of Australia top art prizes and we’re very proud that Dr Mal Eutick chose the city gallery as its home back in 2007,” said Coffs Harbour Mayor, Councillor Denise Knight. “It has provided Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery with a unique opportunity and goal – to acquire the best still life paintings in Australia, from the colonial era onwards.
“This is the very first time that all the winning artworks have been exhibited together so it’s a unique occasion.”
The very first EMSLA winner, Sam Leach, said: “Winning it paid for months of dedicated studio practice and allowed me to develop and extend the scope of my work. Winning the prize helped to establish my reputation as an artist and led to significant opportunities in curated shows at regional and state art institutions. The moment of winning was an unforgettable experience, the doubt and effort spent in the studio feels justified and recognised – a rare feeling for any artist!”
Accompanying the EMSLA exhibition is the latest work from acclaimed Sydney artist Susan O’Doherty. ‘Pinned to the Wall’ explores the uneasy subject of domestic violence through paintings and mixed media using recycled and found objects.
Her imagined scenes hint at an intense and sometimes dark underbelly in the average home. It has always intrigued Susan “that the private persona is very different from the public one. Outward appearances are just that: we behave differently behind closed doors.
Both exhibitions begin on March 3 and run until April 22 and will be opened by Heather McKinnon, President of the Friends of the Gallery.
Everyone is welcome to the Opening Night. Entry is free, but bookings are recommended. Book here.
Those that book online have the chance to win a lucky door prize of a pamper hamper generously donated by Coffs Coast business, The Hamper Studio.
On Saturday, March 4 at 2pm, the Gallery will host an Artists’ Talk with local Arrawarra artist and EMSLA winner Laurie Mossuto and EMSLA Judge Jude McBean. There will also be a tour of the exhibition.
See the full ten-year anniversary events programme.
