Jasmine Middlebrook's acrylic O Confine Me Not was last night judged the best of 170 entries in the Otago Art Society's event, held every two years.
Society president Jenny Longstaff said 215 entries were received from artists across the South Island for the 2014 awards and exhibition.
Entries for the exhibition were reduced to 170 by the judge, Dunedin Public Art Gallery director Cam McCracken.
Mr McCracken was impressed with the variety and quality of work in the show, themed ''Life and living in the south''.
Robert Ireland, was second with his oil painting Karitane, and Maurice Middleditch third with Skippers Canyon, a watercolour.
The exhibition at the Art Station at Dunedin Railway Station, opens today and runs until June 1.
