Chroma Miniature 1st Prize

On Thursday 27th May the inaugural Miniature Art Prize for students was opened at Meadowbank TAFE. There were 51 entries from students across all disciplines in the Fine Arts Diploma and Advanced Diploma courses. Students had about 7 weeks to make a special piece within the size limitations or submit a study which fitted into their current body of work.

In evidence were art works attesting to the skills that the students are developing during their TAFE studies. The sculptures were intriguing and technically well resolved with small yet complex pieces fabricated from wire, wood, stone and steel such as I got too close , and The Dancers by Jordan Taia and Cube by Kylie Bowles. Many interesting ceramic pieces adopted a figurative and sculptural approach rather than being beautiful utilitarian items. Overall the drawing work was very enjoyable with some delightfully fine entries.

Some really interesting pieces came from print media such as Calathea Pleonasm and SPLHCB (’67) track 03, 2:16 . Paintings in oil, water colour and acrylic were well represented. Janet Kossy’s Proposal for winning miniature brought a grin to the judges and teachers faces alike as a contemporary appropriation (of an appropriation) of Sam Leech’s 2010 winning Wynne Prize.

Overall 2D mixed media works were the most numerous and inventive such as CMYK and Mixed Media by Rowena Dunn and Message from Outerspace by Vahram Makinadjian.

Two mixed media works took out the Highly Commended prizes-

Antidotes (08),track 05, 0:55 by Justice H Christ and

Subaqua I and SubAqua II by Cate Valpiani

The only photomedia piece in the whole exhibition proved the most irresistible.

Jane Farquhar won 1st Prize with her sculpture Living in box: exploring the suburbs , a cube made from miniature photos encased in black and white frames which the judges agreed worked on many levels and fitted within the genre of examination of suburbia which has interested Australian artists for the last 60 years.

Serena da Roza from Chroma opened the night and presented Chroma prize packages for product which the winners can nominate. All the winners were delighted with their place and recognition for their work.