Joel’s ‘‘Collision’’ rewarded with bounty

Joel’s ‘‘Collision’’ rewarded with bounty

Queensland artist Joel Rea was named the winner of the $15,000 ANL Maritime Art Award last month.

Mr Rea’s painting Collision was chosen by judges Richard Watson and Graeme Williams from the 95 works selected for the exhibition.

Mr Rea, a full-time artist, was announced the winner at the opening of the annual exhibition on October 3.

He said it was a great surprise and perfect timing considering he was opening a solo exhibition on the Gold Coast the following week.

According to Mr Rea, Collision focuses on the idea of colonisation in its response to the annual exhibition theme of  “the relationship between humanity and the sea”.

“In my paintings I go on surreal journeys, with the figure of myself doing whatever I want” Mr Rea said.

In Collision, Mr Rea has depicted himself having time-travelled back to the time of colonisation.

“When I thought about the art prize, it linked to the idea of colonisation and of travelling across oceans,” Mr Rea said.

He said the painting explored the idea of colonisation and how it affected both the coloniser and the colonised. He said the work also looked at the way colonisation both destroyed something and created something new at the same time.

“What I like about the image is that you can’t tell if things are collapsing into the water or emerging out of it,” Mr Rea said.

This year is the first time Mr Rea has entered a piece in the exhibition and, considering the welcome he’s received, he said entering again was definitely something he would consider.

The exhibition opening on October 3 also saw Maxwell Wilks announced the winner of the $5000 ASP Traditional Maritime Art Award for his piece Waiting for the Tow.

David Mellor was named winner of the $5000 Bendigo Wealth Emerging Artist Award for his painting The “M” Class Boats.

The People’s Choice award winner will be announced on November 14.

The mission was fortunate that 3AW’s David Mann did a live broadcast promoting the exhibition on the opening night.

Mission to Seafarers Victoria CEO Andrea Fleming said the ANL Maritime Art and Exhibition celebrated all things maritime and contributed largely to the fundraising initiatives of the mission.

“All paintings are for sale and the historical building is well worth a visit in spring,” Ms Fleming said.

The exhibition ran from October 4 until October 31, with all works sold paying a 33 per cent commission towards supporting seafarers.

Since 2002 the annual Mission to Seafarers Maritime Art Prize and Exhibition has raised more than $180,000 for the provision of seafarer’s welfare services in Victoria.

Join Our Facebook Group