West Torrens Art Prize 2021

Theme 'Resilient West Torrens'

Ruby Donovan, winner of the 2021 West Torrens Art Prize with her artwork 'Vivacity', was our first female winner in the five-year history of the Prize.

A dedicated palliative care nurse by day and avid amateur artist whenever time allows, Ruby’s entry was deemed to best capture the competition’s chosen theme with its portrayal of vivaciousness as the vital element in any city’s survival during tough times and the promise of better tomorrows.

An additional element in the artist’s treatment of the theme was the use of natural materials, such as earth and leaves.

Her winning artwork, pictured here, is best described as a 'sculpture' and employs a series of circles, at its core a small circle accommodating a bull ants' nest. The ring outlines are filled with soil, while the larger spaces within these circles feature a scattering of leaves.

As Ruby explains, the bull ants' nest represents the heart of the city and the busyness as the community feverishly goes about daily work and life.

“The soil represents our earth and the leaves the people of West Torrens. Each leaf is different in its shape, size and tone, reminding us that this is a vibrant and resilient community of people from different cultures and backgrounds, each bringing something special to the mix," Ruby explains.

“Finally, the circles signify wholeness. There’s no beginning, just as there is no end – and that means we all come together, especially in adversity, and draw on each other for a sense calmness and gentleness, peace and serenity.”

West Torrens Art Prize Winner Ruby Donovan in front of Vivacity. John Krüger Photography

Emerging Artist Prize

In all, more than 100 entries were received for the 2021 West Torrens Art Prize, with a unique 51 being showcased at the resulting exhibition.

The theme 'Resilience in West Torrens' was thoughtfully interpreted in many ways, with several artworks reflecting people and places that our community holds in high regard. Portraits of community members and stylised artworks of places of local importance - such as the Wheatsheaf Hotel and the Linear Park Trail - were featured among the many exhibits.

While Ruby Donovan was the overall winner of the Prize for 2021, Georgina Bowden won the Emerging Artist Prize with her artwork 'Brave Growth'.

Brave Growth proved to be a real conversation starter as the three art tiles were discussed as to what they could be. Swimmers in the water? Islands in the sea? Branches floating? At the awards ceremony Georgina revealed that they were, in fact, branches from native trees in her back yard set against a brilliant blue sky. Originally from the UK, Georgina said that she would regularly look up through the branches to the sky and count her blessing for having moved to Australia.

Emerging Artist Prize Winner Georgina Bowden with her entry Brave Growth. John Krüger Photography