artist's horizon expands prize

The 2009 Heysen Prize for Interpretation of Place has been awarded to artist Katherine Boland for her meditative painting 'Across The Bay To Williamstown'
Judge's Statement: The prize invites entries that convey a strong sense of place and "the theme 'interpretation of place' offers artists both a challenge and a focus. Tempting is to present any landscape or depiction of a house, room or streetscape and label this an 'interpretation'. However 'interpretation' involves a greater degree of attachment as well as the recording of observation. Important in such a brief is for an artist to evoke a particular emotional relationship with the nature and special qualities of their subject to indeed not only relate to, but convey, a sense of place".

"Several works stood out in this regard...but the.work that stood out for me is Katherine Boland's 'Across The Bay To Williamstown'. At first seeming almost cooly rational in its long perspectives and strong structure, this work speaks of both the universality of the horizon and this artist's regular and ongoing engagement with it. It was no surprise to read   in her statement that horizons of many varied countries have been of both long fascination and perhaps the anchor that keeps her aristically and - one may surmise - emotionally grounded. Her use of material - scraped paint over board - is also noteworthy - adding as it does a quality of tactility, a sense of light and shade and a depth to what may have been, if painted in a more conventional fashion as oil or acrylic on canvas, a far more flat and less interesting work."

                                                                         Susan McCulloch, Judge, Heysen Prize

It has been a successful year for Katherine Boland! In addition to winning the Heysen Prize, she has also won a scholarship to New York to study at The Art Students League of New York in February 2010, followed by a residency in South West France in May & June. Katherine will be situated in the picturesque area just north of Toulouse where she will study the amazing UNESCO World Heritage Lascaux Caves with their 16,000 year old paleolithic cave paintings.

Congratulations to Katherine Boland, one of Corporate Art Centre's most popular artists, and to all of the 56 finalists from more than 150 who entrered this year's most interesting Heysen Prize.

We wish Katherine all the best next year and look forward to showcasing her new works on her return.

view more of Katherine Boland's work .