Last Friday night, the City of Canning celebrated local creativity at its annual Art Awards at the Riverton Library, recognising some of the finest artists in WA, many of whom are from the Canning community.
Awards were presented across a variety of categories, with both adult and youth winners recognised in Painting, Drawing, 3D Sculpture/Textile, Mixed Media, Photography, and Digital Art categories.
Additionally, the Canning Resident Award and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Award were presented as the most prestigious awards of the evening.
Each winner was awarded a cash prize, with a adults receiving $700 and young artists under the age of 18 obtaining $300.
Made with acrylic paint and inspired by Psalm 23, which begins with “The Lord is my shepherd,” local Annette Nestor won the Canning Resident Award for her symbolic painting titled “The 23rd Lamb.”
Ms Nestor, who has been painting since she was a young child, believes this piece, which only took her a few weeks, is among her best works and reflects her deep connection to the themes of faith, guidance, and the teachings of Christ.
“The light in the painting represents hope; the lamb’s in the darkness and a bit afraid, a bit timid, but there’s that hope,” she said.
“I do think it’s one of my better ones because of the size. With other smaller paintings, you spend as much time on it, but it doesn’t quite have the impact.”
The art exhibition is supported by the Canning Arts Group, a self-funded community-based organisation that has been serving the arts in the community for over 50 years.
Delighted and surprised to receive the award, Ms Nestor shared that she actually has a personal connection to the Canning Arts Group.
“My mother, Dorothy Holmes, helped found the group in its early days when it was known as the Rossmoyne Arts Group.”
“She was among one of the founding members,” she said.
With her captivating painting of a sunset titled Wurringanne, 19-year-old Isabella Indich was the winner of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Award.
Ms Indich said she was surprised to win and feels honoured to be recognised, explaining that her inspiration came from both a trip down south and her family.
“I was in Esperance for Christmas, and we were at a lookout, but there was a nice rainbow sunset, and I took a photo and decided to paint it,” she said.
“My grandmothers painted when I was younger, so I wanted to as well; they’re my inspiration.”
Like many artists, Ms Indich finds joy in her creative process, but she also faces challenges along the way.
“Painting is really therapeutic to me, but sometimes it can be frustrating if it doesn’t end up how I’d like it to be,” she said.
“It was my first time using oil paint; I usually don’t really like it because it doesn’t dry fast, but after painting (Wurringanne), I don’t mind it now,” she explained.
The exhibition, curated and judged by professionals, showcases a remarkable array of high-calibre artworks and is available for viewing until this Saturday, 28 September, at the Riverton Library.
Visitors can cast their vote for the People’s Choice Award, and the sales desk will be open daily from 10 AM to 3 PM.
