07 July 2008
Brisbane, 7 July 2008: National law firm Clayton Utz congratulates up and coming Queensland-based artist Martin Smith on being named the winner of the inaugural LAUNCH: Clayton Utz Travelling Arts Scholarship.
Mr Smith was announced the winner at a special function held on 2 July at the Metro Arts Centre in Brisbane.
Mr Smith's winning work Hell's Bells was one of 25 finalists for the scholarship, which were judged by the recently appointed director of The University of Queensland Art Museum, Nick Mitzevich.
Mr Smith said he planned to use the $5,000 scholarship grant to mount an exhibition in Bedford in the United Kingdom.
"This is my first competition win so it is a very exciting moment," he said.
"The scholarship presents a great opportunity for me to further my practice with an exhibition overseas."
The LAUNCH: Clayton Utz scholarship is awarded every six months to an emerging Queensland-based visual artist or an artist with a close connection to the state who can demonstrate their commitment to artistic practice.
Mr Smith's work and that of the other 24 finalists will be exhibited at the Metro Arts Main Gallery from 3 -12 July. The work will then go on display at Clayton Utz' Brisbane office in Riparian Plaza on Eagle Street for six months.
Clayton Utz Brisbane managing partner Michael Klug said the firm was pleased to be able to give an emerging artist the opportunity to further their career.
"This is the first of two such LAUNCH scholarships we will be offering this year," he said.
"I was very impressed with the exceptional quality of all the artists' work and look forward to seeing the winning piece on display in our Brisbane office."
Joseph Daws also received an honourable mention for his work Abstract Painting 0805.
