Region-born artist wins WAMA art prize people's choice award

An artwork she painted from the bushes her parents (Meg and Rod Blake) had grown on their certified organic farm located at Bellellen.

Titled 'Cape gooseberry', Ms Blake-Sutterby's life size drawing is one of the 40 finalist works on paper within the art and nature themed online art exhibition.

Accepting the award from her home in Geelong, via a live 'Meet the Artists' zoom discussion with the other four award winning artists from the Prize she was "incredibly honoured and genuinely overwhelmed" to have won the award.

"The most wonderful thing from receiving this particular award is indeed my connection to the Grampians area and the influence my family have had on me," she said.

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"My parents were certified organic farmers passionate about the environment and ethical farming practises, and my only sibling Adam is the Grampians and North Western regional manager of Trust for Nature.

"Conservation of the natural world is clearly important to me."

Amanda's parents Meg and Rod Blake, are well known within the district for their organic produce and support in fundraising for the Stawell Hospital.

Mrs Blake commented that they are 'incredibly proud' of their daughter and her ability to 'reflect the translucency and detail of nature's beauty' within her work.

A WAMA spokesperson said 1467 votes were received for the People's Choice Award, and it was a 'fantastic result' given that it was the first year of the Prize.

"The People's Choice Award is very important as it gives the public an opportunity to have their say on which artwork resonates with them the most" says Jacqueline Healy, Chair Arts Advisory Council, WAMA Foundation," a spokesperson said.

"I would like to congratulate Amanda on receiving the People's Choice award, people were clearly touched by the delicate beauty of this intricate watercolour so skilfully evoking this fragile fruit and its papery husk."

The WAMA Art Prize is a biennale national award for excellence in nature-inspired art created with or on paper. The Prize was developed to attract a multi-disciplinary range of nature inspired Australian artists, to celebrate their connectivity with nature and raise awareness of the importance of conserving our precious and unique Australian environment.

Ms Blake-Sutterby explained her inspiration behind her works and hopes to bring awareness to the importance of conservation of the environment.

"I have a deep desire to draw people's attention to the lesser known flora species, especially those from my home region and particularly if they are indeed listed as threatened or endangered," she said.

"Unfortunately, most people would walk straight past these plants, but I want to celebrate all of them.

"Give them their own unique stage in the form of a botanical art painting.

"Hopefully then, via this exhibition platform, people can gain greater insight and grow their appreciation of what wonders exist all around us."

The WAMA Art Prize, Works on Paper exhibition of finalists is showing now at www.wama.net.au.

Located adjacent to the national heritage listed Grampians (Gariwerd), WAMA is creating a wildlife and art precinct that inspires, educates and stimulates our connection with nature. WAMA will boast a dedicated nature-inspired art gallery, set within botanic gardens and wetlands, that will nurture and protect rare species of plants and animals. WAMA will be a unique tourist destination that celebrates the relationship between, art, science and nature.

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