Dunedin artist takes big prize

By LINDA HERRICK arts editor

A large stylised painting of an elephant by Dunedin artist Jeffrey Harris has won the $35,000 paramount prize in the 12th annual Wallace Arts Awards.

Waitakere City Mayor Bob Harvey presented the awards last night at the Auckland War Memorial Museum. Two runner-up prizes went to Patrick Malone, of Auckland, and William Hedley, of Wellington.

A new category, the development prize, went to Scott Eady, also of Dunedin, who won a three-month residency valued at $15,000 at the New York International Studio and Curatorial Programme in Manhattan.

Judges Denys Watkins, Mark Braunias, Richard Fahey and Warwick Brown awarded the supreme prize to Harris, 54, for his oil on linen work From Dream

2838. As well as the cash prize, the self-taught artist receives a United Kingdom residency and a round-the-world airfare.

Many were surprised to see the elephant painting was by Harris, better known for his abstract images of the crucifixion and religious iconography.

The works placed in the finalist list in the Wallace Art Awards will be on show at the museum until October 5.