Alison Mackay wins 2020 Gallipoli Art Prize
WINNER: 2020 Gallipoli Art Prize winner, Alison Mackay, with her stunning nine-piece artwork ‘Breathe’.
The Gallipoli Art Prize
Now in its 15th year, The Gallipoli Art Prize once again has invited local artists to enter one piece of original artwork produced in oil, acrylic, water colours or mixed medium and respond to the broad themes of loyalty, respect, love of country, courage and comradeship as expressed in the Gallipoli Club’s creed. The works do not need to depict warfare, nor do they need to relate, directly or indirectly, to any conflict.
This year’s collection of artworks from 40 finalists are currently hung in Merrylands RSL Club’s Heritage House from 15th April to 5th May.
The Art Prize ($20,000 acquisitive prize funded by the Gallipoli Memorial Club) will be awarded to the artist who best depicts the spirit of the clubs creed and will be announced on 17th April.
Last year, Melbourne artist Martin King has won the 2019 Gallipoli Art Prize with his work ‘War Pigeon Diaries’ consisting of seven open notebooks containing beautifully intricate prints of carrier pigeons that were used during WWI and WWII to carry vital messages behind enemy lines and for aerial surveillance.
2020 Gallipoli Art Prize Winner
This year, St Georges Basin’s Alison Mackay has won the Gallipoli Art Prize with an artwork inspired by the disastrous South Coast bushfires.
Inspired by the heroic work of many Rural Fire Service volunteers during the horrific fires late last year and earlier in the new year, the nine-panel powerful work ‘Breathe’ depicts nine different gas masks, mostly from World War I.
She said she began thinking about breathing masks and respirators over the summer period when the bushfires were at their worst.
“We spent New Year’s Eve dressed in masks and goggles to protect our eyes and lungs from smoke as we stayed to defend our home from potential ember attack,” she said.
“It was a scary time for everyone, but particularly it reminded me what an extraordinary job the RFS were doing day after day to keep us all safe.
“We owe them a great debt of thanks for their bravery.
“Their courage and comradeship reminded me of the Anzac spirit.”
The competition, which carries a $20,000 acquisitive prize, is funded by the Gallipoli Memorial Club.
The club has acquired all 15 of the winning artworks over the years, which Ms Mackay hopes one day might all be shown together as an exhibition in its own right.
“To win the award was a real thrill,” she said.
“It’s a great honour.”
Gallipoli Club president and one of the judges of the prize, John Robertson said Alison’s work couldn’t be more poignant at this time.
“With the world now battling corona virus, the painting has a certain prescience although it was painted before the first case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in Australia,” he said.
“The title ‘Breathe’ is perhaps a timely reminder that, in these difficult days, we all need to take a moment to breathe.”
Alison has been a finalist in this major national prize for the last seven years with a range of works reflecting the Gallipoli Club’s creed of ‘loyalty, courage, respect, comradeship and love of country’.
“I’ve explored different and often quite personal themes for this prize over the last seven years,” she said.
“There’s always a diverse and interesting range of paintings in the exhibition, so I’m really thrilled to have won this year.
“This year I was inspired by the fires which sparked an interest in gas marks and they really are a fascinating subject.”
Her work has focused mainly on still life painting using oils over the last 15 years. She has exhibited throughout Australia, including seven solo shows and her work is held in private and public collections including Bundanon Collection and National Gallery of Australia, Canberra (as part of the Animalia print collection).
Virtual Art Viewing
The winning artwork along with all other finalists are currently on display in Merrylands RSL Club’s Heritage House. Due to the previous Covid19 restrictions, the Gallipoli Art Prize Display is also available to be viewed online through a virtual tour at www.gallipoliartprize.org.au.
