Wednesday, 04 June 2014

Proving en plein air painting is anything but plain is Lindfield artist Nora Hosking, who is in the running to win the 2014 NSW Parliament Plein Air Painting Prize.

Member for Davidson, Jonathan O’Dea has congratulated the local artist on her selection as one of 42 finalists for the $20,000 Prize.

Now in its 7th year, the NSW Parliament Plein Air Painting Prize is one of the only landscape painting prizes to showcase the tradition of en plein air painting - a style requiring the artist to paint entirely out of doors, where they are continually challenged by all the shifting lights, compositions and conditions that Mother Nature can conjure.

Nora Hosking’s work Impending Storm – Little Manly Cove is a stunning example of the genre, and showcases the creativity and variety of contemporary plein air painting.

The free public exhibition at Sydney’s Parliament House features all 42 finalist works and a Salons des Refuses of the semi-finalists. It opens on 10 June and runs through until 1 August 2014. Entry is free, and doors are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 5.00pm.

President of the Legislative Council, Don Harwin said, “Plein air painting has such a rich history in Australia and to see contemporary artists continue to evolve and experiment with the landscape is a great thing.”

Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Shelley Hancock said, “The Parliament is at the heart of NSW in so many respects, and so what could be more fitting than an exhibition that celebrates the urban, rural and natural environments of this great state,”

The winner will be chosen by Anne Ryan, Curator of Australian Prints at the Art Gallery of NSW and announced at Parliament House on 18 June. With a mixture of established artists such as Guy Maestri, Tom Carment and Rachel Ellis competing against up and coming talent, it is anyone’s guess as to who will walk away with the $20,000 Prize, which this year is being sponsored by Telstra Corporation.

For more information, please visit www.pleinair.com.au

Caption: Impending Storm – Little Manly Cove
For further comment, please contact Jonathan O'Dea on 0418 241 500