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Paper on Skin winners dazzle in Devonport

A woman in a red and blue paper dress as part of an international paper competition.
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Paper on Skin winners dazzle in Devonport

In front of a glamourous Devonport crowd, the Paper on Skin $5,000 Major Award was tonight awarded to Japanese artist Kaori Kato for her work Bilateral Relations 

The international wearable paper art competition Paper on Skin, transformed the paranaple convention centre into a catwalk spectacle, showcasing stunning wearable works of art. 

One of the judges, former arts administrator and textile artist, Greg Leong said the judges selected 34 works from around the globe, by 40 artists from 11 countries, including five from Tasmania. 

Mr Leong said some of the artists are well-known luminaries of the international papermaking community. 

“We were thrilled to view entries from all over the world and congratulate all finalists on their selection into this marvellous event,” Mr Leong said. 

“The works immediately spoke to us. Work of outstanding quality is so obviously above the rest that you notice it at once, and marvellously we were unanimous in our decision. 

“We had so many things to consider, the wearability, the technical skill in garment construction, but much more importantly, the conceptual rigour for the work, the innovative use of paper and of course how the garment works in motion. 

“We knew without difficulty which three entries were at the top of the list, and the final clincher was when we saw the garments worn on models.” 

Mr Leong joined fellow judges, internationally awarded and acclaimed costume designer for film and television Terry Ryan and Gallery Coordinator Rosny Farm Arts Centre Sarah Bishop, in critiquing the 34 entries, who competed for six awards worth over $10 000 in prize money. 

About the major winner: 

Kaori Kato obtained her bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts (Honours) in 2009 and her master’s degree in Visual Art in 2010 from the Faculty of the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) at the University of Melbourne. Kato returned to Japan, Hokkaido in 2013, and has since had her work displayed at a number of local and international shows, including in Australia.  

Runner up awards:  

  • $2000 Honourable Roger Jaensch MP Runner-Up Award – Lissa-Jane de Sailles, (AUS), Red Waratah Girl. 
  • $1000 Tasmanian Hearing and Implant Centre, Dr Kellie Walker’s Encouragement Award, for recognition of talent and to encourage pursuit of the artform – Derek Voorpostel, (AUS), In Honour Of Musashi (Ceremonial). 
  • $1000 Award in honour of Pam and Neil Thorne, a special award which reflects the core concept of Paper on Skin, an idea conceived and developed by Burnie artist Pam Thorne with support from her husband Neil. This award is sponsored by Janet De Boer OAM – Leonie Oakes, (AUS), Listening to the night. 
  • Awagami Paper Award in Recognition of the use of Handmade Paper, a selection of Awagami Editioning papers to the value of over AUD$500 – recognising the use of handmade, artisanal and/or non-commercial paper –Aïdée Bernard, (FRA), Enlace #2. 
  • The $500 Mayor of Devonport ‘Behind the Curtain’ Award – Mayhla Howell, of New Zealand. 
  • Cocoon Designs Public Vote Award – to be announced at close of exhibition. 

Highly commended: 

  • Mayhla Howells, (NZ), he karere ki nga atua i te rangi. 
  • Barbara Wheeler, (NZ), Wrapped. 
  • Donna Vo, (AUS), The heat is in our hands. 
  • Elzbieta Cios, (POL), Wearable sheets of paper. 

Selected artists: Sally Baldwin (UK), Aïdée Bernard (France), Sisse Bjerre (Sweden), Diane Britt (USA), Kelcie Bryant-Duguid (AUS), Elzbieta Cios (Poland), Polly Crowden (AUS), Lissa-Jane De Sailles (AUS), Patricia Flanagan, Darcy Altavilla and Maeve Donohoe (AUS), Lisa Giles, Annette Mauer and Melissa Silk (AUS), Simone Guascoine (AUS), Mayhla Howells (NZ), Hanne Frey Husø (Norway), Kaori Kato, (Japan) Marion Kennedy (AUS), Brielle Killip and Christopher Geissinger (USA), Denise Lamby (AUS), Amanda May Lee (AUS), Anna Mango and Tarja Martin (AUS), Likita Marley (AUS), Teddy McRitchie (AUS), Ardea Murphy (AUS), Leonie Oakes (AUS), Melissa Silk and S. Stanford (AUS), Rachel Smith (Hong Kong), Ramona Sonin (USA), Antoaneta Tica (Romania), Kirry Toose (AUS), Chloe Townsend (AUS), Donna Vo (AUS), Derek Voorpostel (AUS), Robert A Wettstein (Switzerland), Barbara Wheeler (NZ), Tony Williams (USA). 

Paper on Skin will be on display at the Devonport Regional Gallery from 23 June until 30 July 2022. 

Caption: This year’s Paper on Skin $5,000 Major Award was tonight awarded to Japanese artist Kaori Kato for her work Bilateral Relations. Image: Grant Wells. 

 

Media contact: Geoff Dobson, Convention and Art Centre Director, e: [email protected], p: (03) 6424 0577, m:0419 505 838.