Richard Lewer has won the top prize at the 2008 Wallace Art Awards for his painting on a billiard table cloth Skill, Discipline, Training.

The Wallace Trust Paramount Award, valued at more than $38,000, goes toward a six-month residency at the International Studio and Curatorial Programme in New York. Lewer also received a bronze trophy by Terry Stringer.

Judge Dick Frizzell said the judges admired Lewer's original concept and original media. "Figurative narrative is hard to get across - it is quite unfashionable these days - and Richard has done it with a lot of style."Richard Lewer has won the top prize at the 2008 Wallace Art Awards for his painting on a billiard table cloth Skill, Discipline, Training.

The Wallace Trust Paramount Award, valued at more than $38,000, goes toward a six-month residency at the International Studio and Curatorial Programme in New York. Lewer also received a bronze trophy by Terry Stringer.

Judge Dick Frizzell said the judges admired Lewer's original concept and original media. "Figurative narrative is hard to get across - it is quite unfashionable these days - and Richard has done it with a lot of style."Richard earned a Master of Visual Arts from Victoria College of the Arts, University of Melbourne in 2000, and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland in 1992. He is currently in Auckland at the McCahon House Residency.

Sir Paul Reeves announced the prize winners for the 17th Annual Wallace Art Awards at the Aotea Centre on September 1.

The Kaipara Foundation Wallace Trust Award is a new award this year. A three-month residency at Altes Spital in Switzerland valued at over $20,000 was awarded to Heather Straka for "Repeat After Me - . Amanda #2" (Oil on coated board)

The Park Lane Wallace Trust Development Award, a three-month residency at the Vermont Studio Centre in the United States valued at over $18,000 was awarded to Ruth Cleland for her work entitled "Level 2" (Acrylic on canvas; hand-painted).

Frizzell noted a certain organic pairing in the Straka and Cleland works - both of which are full of energy yet dark and brooding - . "an obsessional intensity".

The 1st Runner Up receiving $2,000 was Matthew Couper, "Between Art, Craft and Technology (In Transit)" (Oil and acrylic on wood, plastic, metal, and found laptop; powered illuminated panel).

The 2nd Runner Up receiving $2,000 was Liyen Chong, "I am Here and There" (Artists hair embroidered on acrylic-backed cotton).

The Jury Prize went to Gary McMillan, "Motorway" (Acrylic on linen).

James Wallace commented as follows, "Amongst the record number of entries, more than usual were very strong. It is of course the nature of any competition that only a few of those who enter can win and that some of the outcomes appear to be hap- hazard. However artists are encouraged to enter the Art Awards because we do make extensive purchases of finalists to add to the Trust's Collection. We will again be doing so from both the Judges' show and the Salon des Refuses, spending almost as much as on the Awards themselves.

We're delighted this year to have two new partners, Park Lane and the Kaipara Foundation who are assisting substantially with the Vermont residency and the new residency at the Altes Spital in Switzerland respectively. We have also increased the value of all of the Awards"

Along with Dick Frizzell, Linda Tyler and James Robinson (winner of the Paramount Award 2007), judged this years 525 entries.

It was the first time Robinson had judged any awards. "It was really exiting to look over the 525 representational photographs. I found it really heartening to be reminded that what is being produced in New Zealand is so genuine and alive."

Robinson returned from his Paramount Award New York residency in April where he was able to survey the international contemporary shows on offer in the Big Apple.

"I used the opportunity to make a lot of work and took in a lot of contemporary music and theatre while I was there. The residency was hugely valuable and this year's winners are going to get a lot out of them."

Generous Support for the 17th Wallace Art Awards is provided by the THE EDGE ®, Peek Display, Pic Pac, and Farmgate.

Wallace Arts Trust

03/09/08