“Vintage scene with cat” by Nicola McCafferty is recognised as a finalist and Merit Award winner in the 2019 Molly Morpeth Canaday Award.
Dr Christopher McAuliffe (Guest Judge) commented “Modern abstraction was always haunted by the spectre of decoration. What if someone were to mistake an abstract painting for wallpaper? But there’s always been a kind of artist who wanted to stare down that fear by piling on pattern, filigree and glitter until the painting groaned under the weight of its own anxieties. Vintage scene with cat is a celebration and an exorcism at the same time. Vintage it is, with that 50s wingback chair and jazz age beading. But more than that, it harks back to the Rococo art of the 18th century, when sensuality was unleashed, and luscious decoration stopped just short of the grotesque.”
2019 Molly Morpeth Canaday Award - Painting and Drawing
This non-acquisitive award is dedicated to excellence across contemporary and traditional painting genres. The Award has developed over 28 years and sits credibly within the New Zealand arts community. A high standard of work is selected to form the exhibition from nation wide entries by three pre-selection judges
For participants, the award offers professional development opportunities for artists by showcasing their practice to peers, collectors, critics, museum curators, the media and the community at large.
Presented by Arts Whakatāne and Whakatāne Museum and Arts,xhitbition
Exhibition Opens 16 February 2019
