Lennox Head photographer, Natalie Grono, has been named winner of the $20,000 2015 Olive Cotton Award at Tweed Regional Gallery, Murwillumbah. The 'haunting and beautiful' work, Pandemonium's shadow, was selected from the 82 finalists, which included both emerging and established photographers selected from 350 entries.
The award is funded by Olive Cotton's family in her memory. Cotton was considered one of Australia's leading twentieth century photographers. This year photographer and documentary filmmaker Stephen Dupont judged the work stating that Grono's work had struck him in the first round of the selection process.
"It's the image I kept being drawn to," he said. "I find it intriguing and haunting and beautiful; the harsh light and shadow work wonderfully and perfectly."
Besides Grono, five 'highly commended' awards were also given. Recipients were:
• The Killing of Miller's Point (Pat and Brandy), 2015, by Sahlan Hayes.
• Christopher Bates, 2014, by Tobias Titz.
• Dave Faulkner – The Guru Takes Tea, 2014 by Stuart Spence.
• Man Unknown, Venice, 2015, by Zofia Nowicka.
• Amara, 2015, by Elise Searson.
Through the Friends of Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre Inc, Gallery Director Susi Muddiman OAM selected five works for purchase for the Gallery's permanent collection:
• Seafarer Peter Hegney, Newcastle, 2014, by Brett Boardman
• Estella, 2014, by, Hilary Walker.
• Heather, 13, 2015, by Rhiannon Tully.
• George Howard White, 2014, by Michele Aboud.
• Piero, 2014, by Frances Valentine
The Olive Cotton Award exhibition is on display until Sunday, 27 September. Gallery hours: Wednesday to Sunday 10am-5pm.
'Pandemonium's Shadow,' by Natalie Grono.