Books and Beyond awards

[Robert Heather]

On Friday I drove up to Bairnsdale to be a judge in the East Gippsland Art Gallery Inaugural Award for Artists' Books. I arrived in time for the sponsors preview on Friday evening which was very well attended and set the high tone for the rest of the weekend.

On Saturday I joined my fellow judges Martina Copley (Gallery 101 and Mailbox 141) and Dr Brad Haylock from Monash University in selecting form over 88 entries for Australia's newest and largest artists' books award. We had previously shortlisted from over 220 entries down to 88 and it was great to see that the final product was an interesting exhibition that showcased the diversity of artists' books in Australia with a couple of international entries as well.

The whole thing was extremely well organised by Gallery Director Eileen Thurgood and her team of volunteers and committee members and was made possible by the generosity of local donors, sponsors and benefactors.

The final decision was pretty hard on the judges and the winners were:

The East Gippsland Art Gallery Award for Artists' Books
$5,000 - donated in memory of Derek Price
was presented to Deanna Hitti for her book Simulated Symphony

winning work by Deanna Hitti


The Tantaro Design Innovation Awards $1,000
was presented to Katren Wood for her book 76636 263 585438

Innovation award by Katren Wood (try typing the title numbers into your phone as a txt msg?)...

Commendations were also awarded to:
- Rhonda Ayliffe for Herstory 2007
- Angela Cavalieri for Le Citta Continua
- Joel Gailer for PRINT
- Angela Leech for Commodity Doc 1:142
- John Ryrie for The Man Who Went to See the Sea

Angela Cavalieri book

Joel Gailor work

John Ryrie work

The Riviera Properties People's Chouice Award ($500) will be selected by visitors to the exhibition which is open until 2 September 2009. A fabulous exhibition catalogue is also available from the Gallery for $10.

It is planned that this non-acquistive award will become a biennial event that will draw artists and visitors to the gorgeous East Gippsland area. I wish the Gallery and the Committee all the best on that and hope that some of you may get the chance to have a look at this exhibition as well before it closes.

[Di Patmore]

Nice write-up, Robert. And I am pleased to see that Australia will soon have another prestigious artist books show.