Artist's tribute to father wins award

An artist from Tauranga, whose work is described as "an unlikely but completely captivating combination", has won the Supreme Award in The Miles Art Award 2012.

Marianna Bullmore was named the winner at an award ceremony and opening of the accompanying exhibition at Tauranga Art Gallery on Friday night.

Her work was titled A Cross to the Other Side, Dedicated to My Father Whom I Still Miss Every Day, In My Heart You Are Forever.

From 106 submissions, 32 works were selected for the exhibition.

The awards are named after Venetta Miles, who was an original donor to the gallery and is remembered every two years with the exhibition.

The judges were Curator of Art, Rotorua Museum of Art and History Karl Chitham, Miles Art Award 2010 Supreme Award winner Mandy Hague, and Gallery Director Penelope Jackson.

Mr Chitham said Bullmore's work was "somewhat of a surprise".

"It hovers somewhere between design, sculpture, and painting. It is meticulously crafted while still retaining its reclaimed origins."

Mount Maunganui's Hendrik Groot was given the new Mayor's Award for an Emerging Artist for Beast II.

The Friends of the Art Gallery Award was awarded to Tauranga's Beau Cotton for Kronos and the Ethel McMillan Award went to Tauranga's Raye Catran for The Stop Sign.

Co-judge and artist Mandy Hague said she enjoyed the standard and diversity of entries.

"I was looking for a work that demands attention, and for me the award-winning work does just that although its charms unfold in a quiet way."

Gallery director Penelope Jackson said the number of entries was fabulous.

"There was a real cross-section, and as with last time, there were some lovely surprises.

"The judges had a tough job but we are thrilled that this is very much an exhibition for, and by, our local community."

The Miles Art Award 2012 runs at the gallery until November 4.