The New Zealand Painting & Printmaking Award

Waikato Times Review
What: New Zealand Painting and Printmaking Award 2009
Where: Hamilton Gardens Pavilion
When: 20 February - 1 March 2009
Reviewed by: Ann McEwan
This is the 75th Anniversay year of the Waikato Society of Arts and the ninth year that the society has organised the first national art award of the year. Happily, it looks like judge Robin Woodward had a good field from which to choose the 50 finalists whose work actually manages to enhance the somewhat dreary space of the Pavilion.
Local artist Frances van Dammen's painting Daisy will likely be a popular choice because it is a very well executed acrylic painting of a recognisable subject. There is an echo of Karl Maugham's garden paintings here, but rather than depicting an entire landscape van Dammen creates a vivid field of colour and pattern that makes the most of every inch of the canvas.
Perhaps surpirsingly, there's a lot to look at in the work and so to say that it will be popular is not to disparage the artistry of the piece.
As for the other works on display, they provide a good introduction to interests in contemporary art. Painting is out in full force this year and perhaps the exhibitiobn is the better for it. Peter McLaren's Ascension brings to mind a Turner rainstorm or a Renaissance ceiling fresco into which a whole host of saints and angels are about to vanish. And that's to say nothing of the merit award winners, among them Rebecca Wallis and Tracey Black who made the most of their chosen media and show you that you don't need colour to create an arresting artwork. Happy anniversary WSA and well done on creating the frame for a fine selection of artworks that will inspire visitors to the summer festival.

Presented by The Waikato Society of Arts.
Proudly sponsored by The Waikato Times, Phillip Vela Family Trust, Ventura Inn & Suites, Wintec, ABN AMRO Craigs, and Bayleys MREINZ.