THE 2009 SILK CUT AWARD for Linocut Prints
5 – 20 September 2009

ARTIST JOHN RYRIE WINNER OF THE 2009 SILK CUT AWARDED GRAND PRIZE

The winner of this year’s Grand Prize is Melbourne artist John Ryrie, with his impressive linocut The Moon’s Reflection. The Grand Prize winner can choose between a return air fare to Amsterdam plus 10 days accommodation, valued at $7000 plus $1000 spending money or a monetary prize of $8000. The winner of the Grand Prize (Acquisitive) of the 2009 Silk Cut Award for Linocut Prints was announced at the official opening ceremony by Alisa Bunbury, Curator of Prints and Drawings, National Gallery of Victoria held on the evening of the 4th of September, along with purchase prizes in both the Open and Student sections. This important celebration was held at the Glen Eira City Council Gallery, where the exhibition of Award winners and finalists continues until 20 September.

The Open Section Purchase Prizes were awarded to artists: Andrew Donohoe, Clare Humphries and Anita Laurence.

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The Student Section Cash Prizes of $2500 each for the Schools art department were awarded to: Jaz Arlidge, Forrestfield Primary School, Western Australia; Melissa Earl, Genazzano FCJ College, Victoria; Nicole Anderson, Presbyterian Ladies’ College, Victoria and Grade 8A from Launceston Church Grammar School, Launceston, Tasmania.
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Their linocut prints will become part of the Silk Cut Foundation Collection, gifted to the National Gallery of Australia.

This years judges of the Silk Cut Award, Cathy Leahy, Senior Curator of Prints and Drawings, National Gallery of Victoria, Anne Virgo, Director, Australian Print Workshop and Raymond Arnold, artist, Tasmania commented:

“What seemed evident to the judges in the exhibition generally was a return to the fundamental principles of relief printing – the works were generally smaller in scale, relied upon the strong graphic qualities of the medium, and explored its narrative possibilities, with the environment in particular emerging as a strong theme.

John Ryrie’s winning linocut exemplified these qualities in its sophisticated use of the inherent qualities of the medium. “

Commencing in 1995, the Silk Cut Award offers an exciting and unique opportunity to view the best in contemporary linocut printing. This year is the tenth Award and exhibition of works by artists whose principal medium is linocut print and who have used Silk Cut Linoleum™ to produce works reflecting an impressive range of technical expertise and conceptual approaches to contemporary linocut print practice.

Unique to the Award is the Student Section, which is open to school students Australia-wide who are 18 years and under. The quality of past winners and this year’s finalists ensures a strong future for Australian printmaking.

The four Highly Commended works (non-acquisitive) were awarded to:

Kate Mottershead, Mentone Grammar, VIC
Poppy Sloan, Perth College, WA
Olivia Smith, Loreto College, VIC
Sarah Jackson, Toorak College, VIC
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Floor talks by artists Rona Green and Angela Cavalieri will take place at the Glen Eira City Council Gallery on Thursday 10 September from 6.30 – 8.00pm. Admission is free.

The Silk Cut Award is sponsored by Duroloid, the national Distributors of Silk Cut Linoleum™, and Forbo Floorcoverings Pty Ltd.

The 2009 Silk Cut Award exhibition continues to Sunday 20 September, 2009.

Gallery Hours: Monday – Friday 10am–5pm Sat & Sun 1pm–5pm

Diane Soumilas, Gallery Coordinator, Glen Eira City Council Gallery
Phone: (03) 9524 3214
Email: dsoumilas@gleneira.vic.gov.au