Springwood Art Show judges (l-r) Jane Canfield, Mathew Lynn and Victor Peralta
By Ellen Hill for Springwood Art Show Photos: David Hill
Springwood Art Show is fostering peace and calmness in an increasingly hostile world and nurturing community, according to the judges.
Renowned Blue Mountains artists Victor Peralta, Mathew Lynn, Michael Jungura Askar and Jane Canfield will decide the winners of the .. prizes including the Environmental, Portrait, Indigenous and Young Artists Encourage prizes and the overall Rose Lindsay Prize worth $1000.
Mathew Lynn
Multiple Archibald Prize finalist Mathew Lynn, who has been involved in the original Blue Mountains art show for three years, said he enjoyed the community spirit the event inspired: “It’s wonderful to be part of the community and not just hide in our studios.’’
He and fellow judge, Leura painter and drawer Jane Canfield, also liked supporting young artists, who would be encouraged by meeting successful artists making a living from their art.
You can survive in the arts as an artist,’’ Ms Canfield said.Gone are the days – if there ever were such days, of artists sitting in their studio painting and waiting to be discovered.’’
Jane Canfield
As a judge, she looked for originality, skill and spontaneity of a captured moment in works, while Mr Lynn kept an eye out for “the energy of the work – for me, it’s always primarily an emotive reaction’’.
Gallery One88 Fine Arts owner and artist Victor Peralta said the calibre of exhibiting work at Springwood Art Show was “always brilliant’’.
“It shows how wealthy in art we are as a region here.’’
The judging process was “always good fun’’, with judges approaching the role with open minds and a relaxed manner.
We want artists of all ranking to be able to exhibit,’’ Mr Peralta said.There’s very few art shows like Springwood Art Show that provide a platform for young stars to be catapulted into the next level of their careers.’’
Victor Peralta
The likes of Springwood Art Show had become an increasingly important outlet after the closure of many colleges offering arts courses, he said. “The only way to create peace and calmness is through art.’’
Victor Peralta, Jane Canfield, Michael Jungura and Mathew Lynn will be at a Meet the Judges session at Springwood Art Show between 12pm and 2pm on Saturday, August 27. All welcome.
The art show will be held at Springwood High School, Grose Rd, Faulconbridge, from August 26 to 28, with an official opening program including guest speaker David Darcy on the Friday evening (7pm to 10pm), and activities and a café throughout the weekend.
Pre-book tickets online for your chance to win a luxury overnight stay at Lilianfels Resort & Spa. Go to www.springwoodartshow.org.au for more information.