Announcing the ‘War of the Roses’ Champion Rose Artist and winning comment!

07Sep10

Canvases were splattered with red, metal was sharpened and shaped and ‘Poor Rosa’ disappeared without a trace. The War of the Roses artists were well matched and their achievements will be recorded in history – well, in this blog anyway!

As with most great battles, ‘to the victor go the spoils of war’. Sally Heinrich, Judge of itchypod’s ‘War of the Roses’ online art competition, reveals not only the winner and champion but other honourable mentions and the factors she considered in making her decision. Over to you Sally –

“Well the time has come, the battle has been raging and for a moment calm has descended on the battlefield while the contestants await the final result. It can no longer be avoided, a decision, hard as it may be, must be made.

This contest represents for me an exciting coming together of art forms. The art in the contest represents a wide range of traditionally handcrafted pieces – jewellery, sculpture, painting and drawing – which itchypod has combined with technology by bringing them into the virtual realm in their online gallery.

It also brings together writing with visual art – and isn’t it interesting how often when people are discussing art they cross those lines – I mean, a piece of writing may be praised for the way it ‘paints a picture’ of a scene or event, while a picture, in the words of the familiar proverb, can be ‘worth a thousand words’.

It was a difficult choice to make. All of the participants summarised their thoughts succinctly, with clarity, elegance and occasional humour.  Some gave a glimpse of the personality of the writer in the way they related the art to themselves and to their lives.

Many contestants evoked the other senses, beyond simply sight, some weaving metaphor into their statements, while others, no less effectively, were more straightforwardly descriptive.

One captured their thoughts in a mere dozen carefully chosen words. Being myself the type of writer who always excessively over-writes, meaning that much of my writing process consists of carving away so many unnecessary words, such discipline and focus is to be admired!

Eventually, I managed to narrow it down to five pieces of writing, each championing a different artwork. I also would like to mention a line I especially liked for the image it evoked, from one of the entrants who said, should she win ‘Poor Rosa’, it would be ‘. . . much loved and admired, and all my other art will look on in envy!!!’

I would like to extend a special mention to all of these: (please see these comments at the bottom of the post)

I liked the many different connections Cleopatra Kerckhof made and managed to express in so few words, in admiring ‘The Catherine Window’. I enjoyed the gentle contemplation of ‘Evening Rose’ by Wendy Avis and the evocative description of  ‘The Colours of a Rose’ by Bernadette Spencer and the way Mary Davis expanded on the War of the Roses theme in the description of  ‘The Shiny Gathering’.

Finally though, there could only be one winner, and this is it. I think that it speaks for itself.

Meredith Reardon’s winning entry reads – “The Fragile Beauty, by Karin Foxwell, is a stunning work of art. This evokes passion and fragility, freshness and frailty at the same time – like life itself. You look in the mirror and see yourself growing older but step back and you feel just the same as you ever did, fresh and youthful. The harsh reality is the creeping years, like a vine, engulfing youth and beauty. Yet the thorny ride of life wraps around us and offers some protection as experience and wisdom gives us strength and comfort.”

War of the Roses Champion Artist, Karin Foxwell's 'Fragile Beauty'

Congratulations to all of the contestants on a battle well fought!”

Congratulations Meredith on your winning comment! Meredith gets to take home Karin’s painting ‘Fragile Beauty’ and Karin is not only crowned ‘Champion Rose Artist’ but gets to take home the prize money of $250!

Sally’s honourable mentions:

Cleopatra Kerckhof: “I like Natalia’s ‘The Catherine Window‘ for different reasons. First of all: nostalgia. It made me think of one of my first French lessons when I was in art school. The subject was the Cathedral in Chartres with its famous stained glass windows . The pictures were breathtaking and filled me with joy. Colours jumping right at you and drawing you in – just like the colours in this pendant. Second reason: something that you consider art is best held closely to your heart. Third reason: it looks like a mandala. Together with the soothing colors, it gives the impression of peace and calm. Fourth reason: I’m a big fan of her work and would love to own a piece made by her two hands.”

'The Catherine Window' by War of the Roses artist Natalia Bondarenko

Wendy Avis: “Later in life – still beautiful. She is open to the world and not afraid to display her special individuality. It is important that you take the time to appreciate her now because inevitably her days are numbered. However, her essence is preserved in this painting and continues to be inspirational.”

'Evening Rose' by War of the Roses Artist Gordon Thurmer

Bernadette Spencer: “These soft pastel colours are as beautiful as a rose could be. Looking at it, I imagine to smell the sweet scent, hear the bees humming and feel the wind in my long, thin hair – like the sun warming my hands, one beautiful rose warming my heart.”

'The Colours of a Rose' by War of the Roses Artist Julie Moller

Mary Davis: “The Shiny Gathering is the war of the roses, the Tudors and Stuarts white and red roses are symbolised by the silver roses of this piece and the rose gold for the red roses. The silver brings to mind the steel swords and the colour of the armour of the era. Most importantly the name ‘Shiny Gathering’ evokes the continuous gathering of the best young people, the youthful white and red roses of that time. A sad time of war but a shiny gathering during the war of the roses.”

'Shiny Gathering' by War of the Roses Artist, Shannon Cornish

All of the Rose artworks are now for sale – to see the full selection and for details on how to purchase, go to http://www.itchypod.com.au/s/rosewar

Filed under: SALA 2010, South Australian Living Artist Festival 2010, War of the Roses Art Competition   |  3 Comments
Tags: Adelaide Hills, art competition, drawing, Glass, Gordon Thurmer, jewellery, Karin Foxwell, Natalia Bondarenko, painting, Sally Gibson Dore, Sally Heinrich, sculpture, Shannon Cornish, South Australian Living Artist, War of the Roses, watercolour