Brisbane, 15 July 2010: Clayton Utz: LAUNCH Art Award has again helped a Queensland artist to move one step closer to realising their artistic dream.
Brisbane-based Haruka Sawa has been awarded the 2010 Clayton Utz: Launch Art Award $10,000 major prize for her five 'action experience' photographic works.
The Clayton Utz LAUNCH Art Award 2010 invited entries from Queensland-based visual artists or artists with a close connection to the state who have demonstrated their commitment to artistic practice. Formerly known as the LAUNCH: Clayton Utz Travelling Arts Scholarship, the award has assisted Queensland-based artists to achieve their career ambitions since its inception in 2008.
The Clayton Utz LAUNCH Art Award 2010 was last night presented by competition judge and highly respected curator Anne Kirker. Commenting on the quality of the entries Ms Kirker said: "The wall-based works were either paintings, photographs, assemblages or drawings but none of them were conventional and therefore these descriptions don’t sufficiently convey the innovation they all showed. Interestingly, photography was strongly represented in the shortlist and may reflect the continuing interest in this field for contemporary expression that is evident throughout Australia and further afield."
Clayton Utz's Brisbane managing partner Michael Klug said Ms Sawa’s photography stood out amongst a very talented field of over 100 entries. "Clayton Utz would like to congratulate Ms Sawa on her impressive achievement and we look forward to following her career."
Commenting on the firm's commitment to the arts, Mr Klug said: "Clayton Utz has always been a strong supporter of the arts nationally and is proud to invest in local Queensland talent. Clayton Utz is pleased to assist emerging artists who demonstrate they have what it takes – creatively and in terms of commitment – to build an artistic career for themselves."
"The quality of the 23 finalists was very impressive and Clayton Utz is very pleased to be able to give all short-listed finalists additional exposure by displaying their works for 12 months at Clayton Utz's Brisbane offices in Riparian Plaza," said Mr Klug.
Gold Coast based artist Sonya Peters received the $1500 Highly Commended award for her charcoal drawings, "to draw breath…" and Jason Fitzgerald was awarded the $500 Student Encouragement Award for his piece, "Colour Construction".