WA Artists Triumph at Perth Royal Art Prize for Landscape Awards 

A field of 57 of Western Australia’s finest artists competed for the Perth Royal Art Prize for Landscape with the First Prize of a non-acquisitive $20,000 awarded to Hiroshi Kobayashi, of Daglish, Perth, for his exceptional work; ‘The night above, the sun below’. This prestigious art prize highlights the depth of talent within the state, with both emerging and established artists shortlisted for the 2024 accolades. 

The judging panel; Janis Nedela, Curator, Paintings & Works on Paper, Kerry Stokes Art Collection and WA artist, Gemma Weston, Creative Producer, Perth Festival, and Sandra Murray, Perth Royal Art Prize Curator, all noted the diversity of interpretations of the term ‘landscape’ and commended all the finalists.  

The Prize, committed solely to landscape, was joined by two Highly Commended Awards, and an Emerging Artist Award.  

 The Emerging Artist Award was presented to Nicole Steinhoff, of Shoalwater, WA, for her work ‘(we are) water with skin on’. 

Two Highly Commended pieces were awarded to: Josh Cocking of Broome, WA, for his work ‘First impressions’ and Sarah Thornton-Smith of Darlington, WA, for her work  ‘here : now’, with both works looking at landscapes from intriguing perspectives.  

The Prize is being shown outside of the annual Perth Royal Show, offering free access to the exhibition for art lovers and artists alike. Open to the public 13^th – 21^st July, 10am – 4pm daily, free admission and parking at the Wilkinson Gallery, Claremont Showground, Perth, entry via Gate 1.  

All artworks are available to view and purchase online at: https://perthroyalshow.com.au/competitions/perth-royal-art-prize/perth-royal-art-prize-online-gallery/ 

Sandra Murray, Perth Royal Art Prize Curator, comments: “This Prize is a testament to RASWA’s fifty years of support for WA artists. We support artists with the opportunity to be presented in a professionally curated exhibition and showcased in one of WA’s most sought-after, significant art prizes.” 

RASWA Chief Executive Officer, Robyn Sermon expressed her excitement about the breadth and quality of the art for the 2024 competition. “We are thrilled to host a remarkable array of high-calibre artworks,” she said. “The diversity of perspectives presented through this competition enriches our cultural tapestry and offers a dynamic representation of our state’s artistic talent.” 

Hiroshi Kobayashi, Perth Royal Art Prize Winner, comments:  “When I first came to Australia, I was strangely confused by the sun’s trajectory, which moves through the north, unlike in the northern hemisphere where it moves through the south. Flying over the equator highlighted these natural differences, making me contemplate Earth’s scale.  

My painting reflects this with two spheres, originally 3D models created in CAD: the top sphere blends night and sun, and the bottom sphere mirrors this contrast below the horizon. Using a cutting plotter with a paintbrush dipped in acrylic, I created layers of faded brush strokes. This spiral and repetitive motion mirrors nature’s rhythms, reflecting Earth’s expansion while I am in the unique Australian landscape.’’ 

2024 Perth Royal Art Prize Finalists: 

Peter Allen, Jordan Andreotta, Christopher Bailey, Ralph Baker, Charmain Ball, Bori Benko, Melissa Boughey, Karina Buckingham, Carolyn Bye, Joshua Cocking, Di Cubitt, Jo Darbyshire, Jozina de Ruiter, Lorraine Defleur, Frances Dennis, Stuart Earnshaw, Linda Fardoe, Katie Glaskin, Thomas Goates, Margery Goodall, Jenni Gray, Fiona Harman, Patricia Hines, Eric Hynynen, Olivia Jones, Lauren Kennedy, Hiroshi Kobayashi, Mel Lamanna, Emma Lamb, Vania Lawson, Carly Le Cerf, Sue Leeming, Andre Lipscombe, Laszlo Lukacs, Alan Muller, Michael Vincent Murphy, Andrew Nicholls, Jaelle Pedroli, Lori Pensini, Annette Peterson, Heloise Roberts and Moira Fearby, Judy Rogers, Renee Rose, Julie Silvester, Bruce and Nicole Slatter, Nicole Steenhof, Elmari Steyn, Sally Stoneman, Ross Storey and Ned Crossley, Alastair Taylor, Emily ten Raa, Michele Theunissen, Sarah Thornton-Smith, Peter Usher, Marina van Leeuwen, Geoffrey Wake, Kay Wood 

ENDS 

Winners and the Perth Royal Art Prize Curator are available for interview upon request. 

Images of the award-winning works here:  https://perthroyalshow.com.au/competitions/perth-royal-art-prize/prize-winners/

For more information, please contact:  

Tilly Parker  
Marketing Specialist 
media@raswa.org.au  

About the Royal Agricultural Society of WA   

The Royal Agricultural Society of WA (RASWA) is a member-based not-for-profit organisation dedicated to growing opportunities for the future of WA food and agriculture.  Since 1903, the 194-year-old organisation has been based at the Claremont Showgrounds — a much-loved community asset, best known as the home of the annual Perth Royal Show and hundreds of different community events.  Importantly, RASWA supports the future of agriculture through a range of student scholarships, farm skills and young judges’ programs, the rural ambassador competition, and our Next Generation committee.  

More information: www.raswa.org.au