Mt Barker’s McQuillan scoops open judges’ award at Art in the Porongurup as Fading from Sight swoops into view

Mt Barker artist Melaine McQuillan won the open judges’ award and the $2500 cheque to go with it for her Art in the Porongurup piece Fading from Sight. Showing a soaring cockatoo, the judges awarded her the top prize on Saturday and said she “told a compelling narrative of a disappearing bird in flight”. They added the materials she used were particularly powerful. “Appropriate use of materials, using the destructive nature of fire, not to destroy, but to build,” read the citation. “The viewer is prompted/tempted to reach out and save it before it completely fades. “The focus on a local species gives the work strong ties to the region and inspires greater care for the animals and their habitat.” McQuillan was also fifth in the people’s choice award, with 105 votes of the 1819 cast. The Art in Porongurup trail took place from April 3-11 and celebrated its 24th year with a vibrant display of 66 sculptures. The judging was done by documentary filmmaker and artist Wayne Lim and hobby artist Ronelle de Klerk whose speciality is using recycled materials. The public’s winner was Nemesis, by Jess Burcham, who took home $1000 after bagging 167 votes to pip Phil Hayter’s runner-up The Seahorse, which gathered 136. Runner-up in the open category was Fayah – The Tree Ent by Jo Potts, who earned $1500, while Lilli Barnden’s Thoughts of a Teenager in the Digital Age was the youth winner in the 12-17 age group. A Heavy Lift by Dempsey Hodder won the 5-11 youth award with South Stirling Primary School’s Scarlet Banksia taking the school crown. The PCA celebrating the Porongurups award went to Mother Numbat by Nicole Chalmer, and the HHWC young artist wildlife award was claimed by the Albany Secondary Education Support Centre and their Leave Us Our Home Amongst the Gum Trees. The exhibition attracted 2000 people to the Porongurup Hall and surrounding bush with sponsors contributing to a lucrative $8000 prize pool. Next year’s event is already in the calendar and will run from March 26-April 3, 2027.