We were excited to judge such a strong and diverse range of entries this year. When judging the exhibition, artworks were considered across several key areas including technical skill, composition, originality and overall presentation.
Originality played an important role in the judging process. Works that demonstrated a distinctive or unexpected approach or subject matter – whether through technique, composition, scale, colour or materials – stood out. Many of the strongest works also evoked a clear sense of emotion, memory, time or place, which helped them stay with the viewer beyond the initial viewing.
Presentation is an important aspect of exhibiting work, and in some cases this let otherwise strong entries down. Framing does not need to be expensive, but it should be clean, undamaged and appropriate for the artwork. Frames should ideally be made to suit the size of the work. If using a standard-size frame for cost reasons, a custom mat board can help ensure the artwork fits well and is presented professionally. Artwork should also sit flat within the frame; we saw several larger works affected by frames that were not sturdy enough to properly support the work and mat board.
For artists who are new to exhibiting, opportunities like the Tastes of Art Prize are a valuable way to gain experience showing work publicly, receive feedback and build confidence in presenting work in a gallery setting. We hope this feedback is helpful and encourage artists to continue developing and exhibiting their work in future exhibitions.
Kirrily Anderson
WWW.KIRRILYANDERSON.COM
