Men on Men Art Competition winner announced!
The Grand Prize was awarded to artist Damon Kowarsky for his work, ‘St Francis Seoul’.
The Men on Men Art Competition is held at the Laird and is a celebration of masculinity, allowing the artist to express their sensual, sexual, humorous or just plain weird take on gay life.
This year a total of 59 works were submitted with artists showing just how open ‘masculinity’ is to interpretation. The works varied greatly in style and medium. As well as painting, drawing, graphic design, etching and mixed-media the exhibition saw its first ever video entry.
The judges of the Grand Prize said Kowarsky’s work was an “exceptional multiple plated etching” and is a “fine use of aquatint and interesting construction of a triptych”.
Kowarsky who is currently in France said he was “blown away” when he heard he had taken out the top honours.
The Grand Prize includes a $500.00 Dean’s Art Voucher, a joint exhibition during Midsumma 2017 and a feature on the artist and his work in Melbourne Community Voice (MCV).
Honorable Mentions were awarded to Claude for ‘Forgive me father for I have sinned’ and Matto Lucas for ‘Brendan’.
Scott Thomas won the People’s Choice Award for his work titled, ‘Spiritual Awakening’.
Honourable mentions in this category included: Kris Hithgoda ‘Radical Faery Love’, Claude ‘Blue Penis Project’ and Steve Edwards ‘Jackson Melting’.
(Winner of the 2016 Men on Men Art Competition. Artist: Damon Kowarsky. Title: St Francis, Seoul. Medium: Etching & aquatint from 6 copper plates)
The Laird said the day was a success and expressed their gratitude to the LGBT community:
“As with previous years for the ever-popular MOM Open Day we put aside the ‘men-only’ status and threw open the doors to all making for a great afternoon of beers, browsing and buying!
“[Thanks to] first and foremost, the artists who bare their souls, amongst other things, for our entertainment. Our sponsors and supporters for their generosity which allows Men on Men Art Competition to remain one of our communities’ longest running and most unique events. Our 2016 judges. Tim and Keith (Tacit Contemporary Art). Richard and Maryann for their amazing assistance with sorting, hanging, tagging and lighting.”
The Men on Men works are on display until Friday June 24. Works can be purchased via the bar, with 100% of sales going to the artist.