Dazzling local artworks took centre stage and are being celebrated at the 18th Estuary Art and Ecology Awards in Howick.
The awards opened on 6 July at UXBRIDGE Arts and Culture, showcasing five exceptional artists - selected from 22 finalists - and their works, Tūna, Eyes Wide Open, Mitigation at the Margins, I see you in the estuary, and Life Cycle.
Recognised nationally as Aotearoa’s only art award dedicated to ecological themes, the Estuary Art and Ecology Awards invite contemporary artists to produce new works of art that research and respond to environmental concerns around the Tāmaki Estuary and its extensive tributaries.
Howick Local Board chair Damian Light says, “Contemporary art has a unique way of sparking the public interest and these awards are a great example of using creativity to promote the ecological value of this vital awa (waterway) and encourage action against its pollution.”
Ecologist and writer Annette Lees awarded artist Matt Dowman’s striking painting Tūna first place at awards.
Dowman’s painting captures the poignant loss of a dozen eels he tends in a stormwater drain flowing into the estuary. In her judging remarks, Lees described the artwork as “alive with emotion and story,” noting how the “ tūna appear as spirited shadows, wriggling off the surface of the canvas”.
Second place went to Cathy Carter for her mesmerizing photographic piece, Eyes Wide Open. Capturing a surreal march of toy dolls through estuarine mud, Lees found the work both “arresting” and intriguingly unsettling, noting how it “makes me laugh yet leaves a haunting impression”.
Third place, sponsored by the Tamaki Estuary Environmental Forum, went to Alysn Midgelow-Marsden for her captivating digital film Mitigation at the Margins. This silent, layered visual masterpiece beautifully captures the mystical dance between abandonment and nature’s resilience. Lees was entranced by the film, feeling transported to a bygone era where “evolutionary and physical life forces shimmer continuously”.
“Each year we see artworks that inspire, educate, and inform – this year raised the bar yet again with some incredible works. It was wonderful to see such a wide range of styles responding to the challenge – there’s something here for everyone,” says Light.
Two additional Merit Awards, sponsored by Gordon Harris, The Art and Graphic Store, were awarded to Rowan Holt for the enchanting woven paper piece I see you in the estuary, and to Ainsley O’Connell for her mesmerizing glass artwork Life Cycle.
UXBRIDGE Director Paul Brobbel and Visual Arts Curator Zoe May selected the finalists before Lees took on the judging. In awarding the prizes, Lees praised the finalists for their high standards, noting that the key to judging was how each piece “communicates and connects, capturing the essence of the Tāmaki Estuary and evoking an emotional response”.
Brobbel noted the ecological theme of the awards was being underlined as their 20th anniversary approaches in the next couple of years, commenting that, “Annette’s words at the awards ceremony struck a chord with artists and attendees, reminding us that the communicative power of art is what we are celebrating”.
Vote for your favourite
The Rice Family Partnership People's Choice Award is still up for grabs, so be sure to cast your vote for your favourite artwork at the Estuary Art and Ecology Awards exhibition at the UXBRIDGE Arts and Culture centre (35 Uxbridge Road, Howick). Votes can be submitted during the exhibition, which runs until 31 August, with the winner announced on September 6. The artist with the most votes will receive a $1,000 prize, so don't miss your chance to have your say.
Vote for your favourite! The successful winner will receive a cash prize courtesy of the Rice Family Partnership.
The Estuary Art and Ecology Awards
In its 18th year, the Estuary Art and Ecology Awards are Aotearoa New Zealand’s unique contemporary art prize focused on ecology. Artists respond to the Tāmaki Estuary, highlighting its ecological importance and promoting action against pollution.
With a prize pool of $9,800, the awards showcase innovative artworks that raise awareness and support local talent.
The 2024 awards are supported by Howick Local Board, the Tāmaki Estuary Environmental Forum, the Rice Family Partnership, and Gordon Harris Art Supplies.
UXBRIDGE Arts and Culture
UXBRIDGE Arts and Culture is East Auckland’s creative hub offering classes, workshops, programmes, events, and exhibitions or a base for community activities and hire.
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