Australia: The Mission to Seafarers Victoria has announced the names of the winners in this year's ANL Maritime Art Prize & Exhibition.
Melbourne artists Lisa Radford and Sam George were awarded the AU$15,000 first prize, sponsored by ANL Container Line. This is the first time in the history of the maritime art prize that the award has been presented to a female, or in this case two female artists, whose work 'Untitled (International Code Signal)' was announced as the winning entry.
Captain Mark Hill of HMAS 'Cerberus' decoded the signal flag message for guests on the night as saying "We can say love." Lisa and Sam suggested that the message they have presented in their work is one for all of the seafarers visiting the Mission in the Port of Melbourne.
Greg Creek PhD of RMIT University spoke on behalf of the judging panel, describing the work as a unique interpretation of the theme "The relationship between humanity and the sea". The judging panel also included Alex Baker PhD, senior curator-contemporary art at the National Gallery of Victoria, and contemporary artist Nadine Christensen MA
Maritime artist Norman Quinn was awarded the ASP Group 'Best in Traditional Maritime Art' AU$5,000 prize, while Sharon West was awarded the Bendigo Wealth Emerging Artist Award, with a AU$5,000 prize. The works in contention for prizes were presented in an exhibition during October. Over 1,200 visitors to the exhibition entered their vote in World Trade Centre People's Choice Award with artist Phil Suter, taking out the AU$2,000 prize for his painting 'SS Casino that Fateful Day'.