Celebration of difference a master stroke
04 May 2009
KarnivART - the art competition held in conjunction with Karingal’s inaugural Karnivale - is set to become a fixture on the region’s annual art calendar after receiving nearly 60 entries and being hailed a huge success.
The only art competition of its kind in the region, KarnivART gave artists with disabilities and mental illness the opportunity to showcase their work in a public forum and, potentially, win a $1000 prize.
Sponsored by MatchWorks, the KarnivART prize comprised $500 for the acquisition of the winning art piece and a further $500 for artistic development.
Winner of the MatchWorks Prize was Danny Byrne from Warrnambool, who entered a powerful self-portrait.
In officially opening KarnivART on Friday, March 27, guest judge Jamie Daddo said the art competition was unique for its celebration of difference.
The identical twin of television personality Andrew Daddo, Jamie is an artist with an acquired brain injury resulting from a road accident more than 20 years-ago.
“The collection of work in this exhibition has brought something of importance to me, as both an individual and an artist, who just happens to be living with a disability,‘’ Jamie said. “To begin with, this art is beautiful as it inspires so many things in other people; and if that is the only aim of a piece of art, it surely has done at least a small part of its job.”
KarnivART entries were on exhibition and for sale throughout the Karingal Karnivale.