In partnership with Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum (GRAGM), Queensland Alumina Limited (QAL) unveiled the winners of the QAL People’s Choice Awards as part of the 45th Rio Tinto Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards and Exhibition 2020.
Introduced in 2014, the QAL People’s Choice Awards allow members of the public to vote for their favourite artwork in each of four categories; Easel Paintings, Works on Paper, Three Dimensional and Fibre Works, and Digital Works.
Taking out top spot across each category were
- Easel Paintings – ‘Storm Man #2’ by Jett James
- Works on Paper – ‘After the Rain’ by Irene Sparks
- Three Dimensional and Fibre Works – ‘Plucky Pelicans’ by Andrea Farrow
- Digital Works – ‘Bauxite Pile, QAL’ by William Debois
Winners were honoured at a formal celebration held at the GRAGM on Wednesday 2 December, each taking home $500 and an award certificate. One lucky voter also won an all-expenses-paid weekend away of their choice to either Heron or Wilson Islands.
QAL general manager, Pine Pienaar said; “Rio Tinto and QAL are proud to once again support the Rio Tinto Martin Hanson Art Awards.
“We are privileged to have a number of local artists in the Gladstone region and fortunate that the community can share in our local history, beauty and diversity through their artwork.
“Well done to the artists who won their categories in the People’s Choice Awards and congratulations to the winner of our voter’s draw, Karen Norris, who will be visiting either Heron Island or Wilson Island on a trip with all expenses paid by QAL.”
The 45th Rio Tinto Martin Hanson Memorial Art Awards exhibition is on display at GRAGM until 5pm, Saturday 30 January 2021.