Winning prize revoked
THE winner of a major art prize, the Rio Tinto Alcan Martin Hanson Memorial Art Award, has lost her prize to a Monto artist after she inadvertently broke the rules.
Brisbane artist Normana Wight's work, Posted, was disqualified after the competition's organisers learnt it had been created outside the allowable 12-month period prior to the awards.
Gladstone Regional Council arts and heritage manager Pamela Whitlock described Wight's oversight as an “honest mistake that unfortunately cost her the overall prize”.
Judge Michele Helmrich declared Monto art teacher and accomplished artist Josh Cleary the winner.
Mr Cleary was originally awarded the Queensland Energy Resources Easel Paintings Award at last Saturday's announcements.