Adelaide Park Lands Association

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Winning Park Lands artistry

Shane Sody

by Shane Sody

“It feels great to win!” said Goolwa-based artist John Foubister as his painting of sticks and rocks was named as the surprise winner of the $20,000 first prize in the 2023 Adelaide Park Lands Art Prize.

The official opening at the Adelaide Festival Centre on Friday 24 March was hosted by former Lord Mayor, the newly-appointed chair of the State Heritage Council, Sandy Verschoor.

Pics: Lyndon Stacy

Deputy Premier, Susan Close MP, raised some eyebrows when she urged the audience to “fight for your Park Lands”. The Adelaide Park Lands Association, hosting the event, is fighting the State Government, on several fronts, on behalf of your Park Lands.

Following Dr Close on stage, to give out 15 prizes, was the Lord Mayor, Jane Lomax Smith.

But the stars of the night were the 75 artists whose 80 works are now featured throughout the foyer galleries of the Festival Centre.

Pics: Lyndon Stacy

See the full list of prize-winners below.

The winning entry from John Foubister was described by the judges as:

“a quietly commanding work, its seemingly simple composition opens up to reveal a subtly modulated palette and masterful brushwork. The painting follows an ethos of close and slow looking – honing in on small, often overlooked details. The humble sticks and stones are arranged in a way that imbues them with a talismanic quality. This painting has come from careful observation of the environment and distils decades of artistic practice - it asks us to contemplate the nobility of nature."

Eight art works were purchased by opening night guests.

You can see the works in person at the Festival Centre up until Sunday 7 May. Photos of all finalists works are also available on the Park Lands Art Prize website, and are being snapped up, one-by-one, through on-line purchases. To purchase:

Sale proceeds go 70% to the artist, with a 30% commission to the Adelaide Park Lands Association.

PRIZE WINNERS

ONE MORE AWARD TO GO!

The $2,000 People’s Choice category winner will be announced after the exhibition closes on 7 May.

Check out all 80 entries, either:

Then, vote for your favourite at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/R233LFH