Awards for young artists announced

BELCONNEN Arts Centre has announced that sculptor Maria Kunz and textile artist Anna Sutherland have won Emerging Artist Support Scheme (EASS) Awards, allowing each to hold a curated solo exhibition at the centre during 2014.

The EASS Awards, now in their fourth year, support artists in the early stages of their artistic careers after they graduate from the School of Art at The ANU and the Belconnen Arts Centre.

Selected by creative programs director Jacque Schulte, chief executive officer Daniel Ballantyne and business and operations director Jack Lloyd, the artists were recognised for their innovative use of materials, colourful aesthetics and thought provoking themes.

“As well as both being top notch graduates from the ANU School of Art, Maria is well known to us as a tutor and she has the capability, imaginative scale and inventiveness to transform our Outdoor Gallery,” says Ballantyne. “Both young artists are certain to be a hit with our growing following of exhibition visitors as Belconnen Arts Centre continues to fuel a love of arts in our region.”

Kunz completed her Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours) this year and uses materials like stockings, yoga mats, metal and leather in her art. Textile artist Sutherland also graduated with a Bachelor of Visual Arts (Honours) and creates colourful and playful fabrics and furniture.

Previous EASS award recipients at the centre include Jemima Parker, Roger Jillard, Heike Qualitz, Harry Townsend, Janet Long and Elizabeth Ficken.

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