Exmouth’s ArtQuest draws 164 entries in stellar showcase at Tantabiddi Art Gallery

Exmouth’s vibrant art scene was the centre of attention at Tantabiddi Art Gallery in the Ningaloo Centre in celebration of the region’s top prize.

The annual ArtQuest exhibition, presented by the Exmouth Cultural Art Centre, opened on August 12, with locals and tourists treated to more than 150 pieces of locally produced artwork.

The prestigious annual art awards are held at the Tantabiddi Gallery and ran from August 12 to September 10.

This year’s theme was Flora and Fauna of the North West Cape but there was also an open category and a people’s choice award, as well as a youth competition.

In the theme awards, Kertu Ehala won the 2D paintings/illustration category for the work Angelfish, while Barry Sullivan’s Limestone Fish was the winner of the 3D sculpture/mixed media category.

Prue Wheeler won the photography category with her work Rasta Jelly.

The open winners included Chris Hancock for Surfer Girl, Tina Jackson and her work Aerial and Brooke Pyke’s Reflections.

The children’s themed category was split into four age groups.

Olivia Rampling won the 6-8-year-old group, Skyla Greig took out the 9-11 category, Emily Cossill was the winner in the 12-14 prize and Teniel Hadley took home the award for the 15-17 years group.

ArtQuest coordinator Susan Nunn said there were stunning artworks on display and the photography category in particular had attracted Exmouth’s incredibly talented photographers.

“We were also thrilled to welcome some prize winning artists from Karratha this year — who also scooped up the People’s Choice Youth Award,” she said.

“They sold some of their artwork too, we hope that this will inspire artists from around the Pilbara region to enter into future exhibitions held here in Exmouth.

Ms Nunn said the children’s entries aged 6-17 included a wonderful array of bright and colourful adaptations of this year’s theme in the form of painted skateboards, pottery in the Hermannsburg style, lino cut prints, resin, paper mache, and a six foot jelly fish that lit up.

“This year has seen 164 entries into The Tantabiddi Gallery and the Exmouth Cultural Arts Centre volunteers put a tremendous amount of effort into bringing this wonderful exhibition together for everyone to enjoy,” she said.