Agendo Art Prize

This week I had the honour of seeing my painting 'Up Close, Late Afternoon' in the Agendo Art Prize Exhibition. It was fantastic to be selected as a finalist. The quality of the work was staggering, which made me doubly thrilled to be counted amongst them.

I was trying to explain to someone last night why I make art. It seems so much easier to explain how.

But these words from the Headmaster of Camberwell Grammar School (who put on the event) ring true for me:

'...art is the language of the soul. Art can help to explain the world when words break down, and represents an attempt to find a creative response when reason is not enough.'

This seems to me the essence of the art-making and the art-viewing experience.

It is so wonderful that awards like this exist to recognise, support and affirm the importance of the role of art in the world.

The Agendo Exhibition runs at St Heliers Street Gallery, Abbotsford Convent, until 14 August, 2013.