Wellington artist Zoe Marsden took home the $20,000 acquisition prize for her oil painting The Lookout, which depicts an abandoned police hut overlooking the motorway in Thordon.
Sam Foley, a renowned contemporary New Zealand Landscape painter and one of the prize’s two judges, said he had been drawn to the winning image by its subject, which had stuck with him on the drive from Dunedin.
"For once, I didn’t actually ask how — I asked what and then why.
"What appealed to me is that search by the artist to find an almost banal subject, and then present it in such a curious way.
"For me, it’s such a strong image but also so subtly ambiguous in its nature.
"Really strong work, in my opinion."
Now in its 17th year, the annual fundraiser for Wānaka’s Holy Family Catholic School draws artists from across New Zealand to submit original pieces for judgement.
The pieces are then put up for sale at an exhibition over a weekend in January.
A record 249 pieces were on display this year, 56 of which were sold.
The event is anticipated to have raised more than $30,000 for the school.
Craigs Aspiring Art Prize co-co-ordinator Sarah Jamieson said organisers were thrilled with "another huge success" at this year’s exhibition.
"We were unsure what to expect with the current economic climate but are confident that the outstanding quality of works has contributed to drawing in purchasers from around the country."
"We are really proud to put on this event with the help of our school community, with all funds going directly to the school to benefit our children," she said.
While the exhibition is over for another year, the winning pieces can be viewed on the Craigs Aspiring Art Prize website.
Craigs Aspiring Art Prize winners this year were.—
- Supreme winner: Zoe Marsden, The Lookout.
- Runner-up: Philip Maxwell, Composition #6 (detail of something bigger).
- Best landscape: Angus Collis, Obsession.
- Best work under $1000: Nicola Jackson, Soft Thoughts.
- Round corner (paintings on a 40cm diameter round, priced under $1000): Nyle Major, The Great Escape.
- People’s choice award: Sierra Roberts, Wall Flower.
- Merit award: Brett a’Court, Ihu Karaiti (The Prince of Peace).
