West Torrens Art Prize 2020

Christopher Meadows, our 2020 West Torrens Art Prize Winner, is a resident of the Clare Valley where he paints and operates his gallery 'Studio Meadows'.

Following a career of more than 35 years as an art teacher in South Australian schools, in both country and metropolitan areas, he expanded his visual arts teaching and practice by working overseas in London, Paris and Osaka. He has continuously maintained his own practice as a painter, illustrator and graphic designer as well as recently turning his hand to sculpture.

Our 2020 West Torrens Art Prize theme was 'A Sustainable Future' and Christopher is no stranger to painting to the theme for this; his piece Backyard Welcome having won the People's Choice Prize for the 2019 West Torrens Art Prize.

According to Christopher, the 2020 winning piece Solar Reflections is as the title suggests; a reflective piece on the notion appreciating the past looking forward to sustainable future.

West Torrens Art Prize Winner Christopher Meadows in front of Solar Reflections

Christopher said: "I have a memory of flying in over Torrensville and seeing all the solar panels but wanted to reflect a closer view so I chose that point of view of climbing on the roof. The single roof top figure reflecting on the past and hoping for a sustainable future."

Art Prize judge Peter Goers remarked that Christopher had chosen to paint a bungalow that was so indicative of the West Torrens area and brought back many personal memories.

City of West Torrens Mayor Michael Coxon said he was incredibly impressed with Christopher's technique, line and perspective and appreciated the hours of work that went into such a detailed painting.

Nicky Brooks, taking out the Emerging Artist Prize for her piece 'Precipice' says of this year's theme and her work: "We're on the precipice of environmental disaster, bushfires continue to escalate across the country and mass pollution goes unchecked. This painting represents the possible outcomes of our response to climate change. This is either the last flower, a native Australian waxflower, in a barren land void of life. Or, it could represent our decision to treat the natural world with respect and take steps to protect it. We all have the power to choose hope or despair."

The winner of the Secondary Student Prize, Elsa Klinge, chose a digital work to Riding to the Future to comment on sustainable modes of transport and the hope her generation has for the future.

The winner of this year's People's Choice Award is Charlotte Folland for her entry Remembrance.

 Emerging Artist Prize Winner Nicky Brooks with her entry Precipice 

 

Senior Secondary Student Prize Winner Elsa Klinge with Mayor Michael Coxon and above her winning entry Riding the Future