Congratulations to David Asher Brook for his selection as Finalist in the 2022 Kangaroo Valley Art Prize with his painting Waiting for the Train to Exeter (Bowral Station), 2022.
Visual Arts in the Valley aims to assist artists while bringing some of the best contemporary art that matters from around the nation to the Valley and surrounds that speaks about national, regional and local issues. This years prize received over 450 entries and the winners of all major prizes will be announced at the Exhibition Opening, Friday 30 September, 6:30pm at the Kangaroo Valley Hall.
The Guest Curator for 2022 is Megan Monte, award-winning Australian curator who has just assumed the position of inaugural director and curator of Ngununggula, the National Trust and State Government gallery at Retford Park, NSW. Previously director of Cement Fondu contemporary arts space in Sydney and curator of contemporary art at the Campbelltown Arts Centre. Special Advisor – Rex Irwin, internationally known art dealer in Sydney since 1976 who has nurtured and enhanced the reputations and careers of many Australian artists. Former director, Rex Irwin Gallery, and former co-director, Olsen Irwin Gallery, Sydney.
The judges of the 2022 finalists exhibition are June Watters, Director, National Trust of Australia (NSW) Galleries and SH Ervin Gallery since 2001, and Sophie O’Brien, Curator, Bundanon Trust. Previously curator Tate Britain and Serpentine Galleries, London, Artspace, Art Gallery of Western Australia, Perth Festival, Biennale of Sydney and Australian Pavilion at the Venice Biennale.
David Asher Brook explains where the painting came from:
“I had driven two of my children and three of their friends to Bowral on a summer’s day to visit more friends. I told all of them before we left that I was willing to drive them all the way there on one condition, that if it came to it and they were ready to go home and I was not, needing to continue painting, they would all have to wait. The girl in the painting was waiting for the train to Exeter. My kids later called to me, nagging to leave, but now realised they had to wait for me.”
Exhibition Dates: 30 September – 03 October 2022.
Main Gallery, Kangaroo Valley Hall,
Moss Vale Road, Kangaroo Valley NSW 2577