When I become part of the panel for Wollombi Wines Residency Award with Allyson Hoft at Hunter Valley, I initially flattered and hesitated at the same time… well, I’m not an ‘early 20s judge’ like some they have on TV shows, but if they are comfortable and trust my judgement, I’d take the challenge… And I did.
Note: My previous panel was in 2009 when I was part of the AartBoxx exhibition for artists with disabilities, but that time, a group was selected.
The quality of submissions was very high, this year over 130 works were submitted, unfortunately only a bit more than half were selected. But I’m happy to say I’m very glad for every artists whom entered – you can’t please everyone but if you’re in company with strong competitors like this, no matter which level you reached, it is good to be involved.
In the perfect world, would it be wonderful for winners and runner-ups of all categories to receive some money which assist them repaying some of the production cost? I’d say yes, but to be fair, for a regional area like Wollombi and this economic environment, they had provided the best they could.
When looking at the works for Wollombi Wines Residency Award, the point of view is, potentials. In collaboration, Allyson and myself both looking for potential for an artwork or series and their possibilities in further developing physically, structurally and most importantly, the meaning behind the work.
It was an extremely close race but at the end Melissa had won the award (photo coming soon). This work not only explored the history where it stood but it also passionately express how women contributed in the area for the past century. No need for big productions like Ben-Hur or Inception, sometime, a sensible stories like Melissa’s have a much longer and more ways to go.
My best wishes for Melissa and I look forward to seeing her result after the residency.
當被邀請擔任2012獵人谷葡萄園雕塑展其中一個獎項的評委時候,實在有點兒受寵若驚。展覽已是第十個年頭,當中也出了不少本地的英雄。策展,我自問勝任有餘,再想,若人家沒信心,也不會誠意邀請。
當看到今年的參加的作品質素之後,我便有一種喜悅的感覺,參加質素佳,判斷也得心應手。雖然事實上每個比賽也不可能盡得人心,但是整體來說今年各個獎項,真是實至名歸的.若主辦單位能夠多找一些贊助商,連亞軍季軍也能夠獲一點獎金獎品,那就皆大歡喜了;可是話分兩頭,伍龍拜是一個小鎮,其實能夠提供一個如此優美的機會給藝術家們一展所長,各位葡萄園主人和贊助商,都已經在這般經濟環境時期傾盡全力,值得公眾認同。
評委過程中我和Allyson一同決定一個特別獎項。這個獎項特別之處不是獎金,而是葡萄園內的Ironbark Cottage,平日由公眾租用,但是這個獎項的勝出者,可以無條件之下使用Cottage,兩個星期,「閉關」創作。
我們的眼光相當接近,對我來說,最後決定在乎於作品有沒有在增強的潛力.所謂「增強的潛力」是那作品能否在這兩星期的「閉關」中得到昇華:作品的意思,整體架構,外形;內在外在進一步發展的潛能。
這個獎項得獎者Melissa,一面看透的伍龍拜本地歷史,另一方面導出當地女性百年為家人盡心盡力的故事。Melissa的作品含有廣闊的發展空間,伍龍拜那裏雖然是小鎮,但是小小的故事,不用像電影Ben-Hur一樣澎湃,亦不需要Inception般深沉,已經是很動人了的。
我們的眼光相當接近,對我來說,最後決定在乎於作品有沒有在增強的潛力.所謂「增強的潛力」是那作品能否在這兩星期的「閉關」中得到昇華:作品的意思,整體架構,外形;內在外在進一步發展的潛能。
這個獎項得獎者Melissa,一面看透的伍龍拜本地歷史,另一方面導出當地女性百年為家人盡心盡力的故事。Melissa的作品含有廣闊的發展空間,伍龍拜那裏雖然是小鎮,但是小小的故事,不用像電影Ben-Hur一樣澎湃,亦不需要Inception般深沉,已經是很動人了的。
衷心祝福Melissa善用這一個獎項,我期待看到「閉關」之後的效果。
