Pine Rivers Art Gallery opens with Moreton Bay Region’s top prize
Published 12 April 2021
The new and improved Pine Rivers Art Gallery opened with on Saturday hosting the revitalised Moreton Bay Region Art Prize 2021.
Now exclusively for local artists, Mayor Peter Flannery said the prize was a fantastic way to showcase the new-look gallery and celebrate the creativity our region has to offer.
“Through the isolation of COVID it has been the arts that’s brought us together, brought us joy and even brought hope,” he said.
“This year’s winners have all explored very topical issues - our sense of identity, the fragility of the environment and the personal impacts of the global pandemic.
“The winner BJ Murphy took home $5,000 while there was a further $5,000 awarded between second, third and the people’s choice recipients.
“BJ’s work “the original” is striking for its use of light and contrast. It’s a powerful image that is both an enigmatic self-portrait and a lush landscape.”
The Connecting Australians survey shows that 98% of us consume art in one way or another, whether it be through music, literature, live performances or even Facebook. Mayor Flannery said investing in the arts was more important than ever, as the industry was one of the hardest hit by COVID closures.
“Moreton Bay Region’s three art galleries at Caboolture, Redcliffe and Pine Rivers are a key part our community, which is why we have invested $7 million across the past three financial years upgrading them to a state-of-the-art quality,” he said.
“Pine Rivers Art Gallery has a particular reverence in the art world as the original host of the inaugural Moreton Bay Region Art Award some 27 years ago.
“I have been blown away by the calibre of creativity here and encourage both locals and visitors from outside our area to come and check out the new space while its adorned with the best of the best from our region – you won’t be disappointed.”
The winners’ work will be on display in the new Pine Rivers Art Gallery until April 24.
Visit Council’s website to see what’s on near you – moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Galleries-Museums/Home