Cloncurry welcomes Regional Art in Colours of Queensland

The exhibition is the outcome of the 2016 Queensland Regional Art Awards, which asked artists to consider what brings colour, vibrancy and life to their local communities or regions.

179 works were submitted to the prestigious Awards, with over 1,700km of distance standing between some entries.

“The works selected as prize winners and for inclusion in the travelling exhibition are remarkable for their diversity, in both content and form, and this made selection particularly difficult,” said the exhibition’s curator and award panellist, Andrew Baker (Andrew Baker Art Dealer).

Artists from all corners of Queensland have been chosen by Baker to exhibit, including 6 award winners from Ipswich to Kuranda, accompanied by 30 commended artists from Mornington Island to Goondiwindi, Townsville to Chinchilla, and many locations in between.

Cloncurry Shire Council Mayor Greg Campbell said, Cloncurry was honoured to host the Colours of Queensland exhibition.

“We encourage the community to come along to the official opening of the exhibition. Walk through the gallery while the children are entertained with a visit from the Easter bunny and craft activities.”

The Queensland Regional Art Awardsis a much anticipated event on the Queensland artscene’s yearly calendar. Both the Awards and their subsequent touring exhibition are designed to provide a much needed platform for regional Queensland artists to expose their work to a wider audience in Brisbane and further afield.

Karen Stephens from Redbank is the winner of the major prize, whose colourful depiction of a noxious weed, Noogooraville, headlinesthe Colours of Queensland exhibition.

Stephens reflects, “As a regional and remote artist, it reinforces that my voice, observations and ideas are important no matter where I stand.”

Colours of Queensland is on show at the Dr David Harvey Sutton Art Gallery, Cloncurry until May 6.