Two Hamilton artists have taken top honours at the prestigious IHC Art Awards, celebrating creativity and talent in New Zealand’s disability community.
Renee Derix with Underwater. Photo: Supplied
Renee Derix, from Grey Street Studio, won the overall award with her stunning mixed media piece Underwater, earning a $5000 prize.
Renee has been creating beautiful work at the studio for nearly a decade, and Underwater sold on opening night – an emotional moment for the artist and her supporters.
Julian Godfery claimed the People’s Choice Award for the second time, this year with his striking pen-and-ink piece The Jaguar. The artwork captured hearts across the country, receiving 3085 of the 9480 public votes cast for the 30 finalists.
The People’s Choice winner, Jaguar by Julian Godfery. Photo: Mark Coote
Julian creates his detailed works at home, at the Enrich Plus day base in Te Awamutu, and in his mother’s Raglan studio.
Second place and a $3000 prize went to Amy Lewis for Angel for the People, a felted wool angel in a frame.
Amy Hall took third place and $2000 for Harriet: My Cat, a hand-sculpted ceramic vase which is a tribute to her beloved pet.
The Holdsworth Charitable Trust Scholarship Award for art studios that support artists with intellectual disabilities went to Studio2 in South Dunedin.
Godfery says it felt great to win the people’s award for the second time, this time with his striking work The Jaguar.
The Jaguar was a clear crowd favourite, earning 3085 votes out of a total 9480 cast by the public for this year’s 30 finalists.
Taupō MP Louise Upston visits the exhibition with Forte director Anita Murdoch, sponsors of the People’s Choice awards. Photo: Supplied
Taupō MP Louise Upston, who is Disabilities Minister, visits the exhibition with Forte director Anita Murdoch, sponsors of the People’s Choice awards and judge Mark Hutchins-Pond. Photo: Supplied
Judges with the finalists, from left Artist Michel Tuffery with Krystal Hyslop, Mark Hutchins-Pond with Amy Lewis, Elizabeth Caldwell with Amy Hall and Tim Walker with the winner Renee Derix. Photo: Mark Coote.
