MORE than a fortnight down the track – and Tasmanian snapper Anne O’Connor is still pinching herself after winning the 2018 Scone Photographic Prize.
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The gifted O’Connor claimed the prestigious title, and $1000 cash purse, in the open section thanks to her offering, Ocean Billowing.
She also enjoyed success with Reflections, which was highly commended by judges Dr Doug Spowart and Dr Victoria Cooper at the Scone Arts & Craft Hall.
It was a fitting triumph for O’Connor, a previous finalist in the Bay of Fires Art Prize Tasmania (2014, 2017), The Field Art Prize (UTAS, 2015) and Birchalls Art Prize (2014).
She received a Masters in Photographic Art by the Federation of International Photographic Art (FIAP) in France, 2014, too.
“I was flabbergasted [to win],” she said.
“Initially, I thought they were ringing me to work out how to get my work home again.
“I didn’t expect anything else.
“This is the first time I have won such a big prize.
“I’ve been a finalist in art prizes before but never a winner.
“However, this time the process was different and I had no idea what to expect.”
O'Connor works in a variety of media, with photography her passion.
Her ideas come from her local environment, both natural and otherwise, with specific interest in light, shade, colour, texture and form.
It is the relationship between these elements that initiate her response, creating a story that can inspire imagination or evoke memories of time or place.
The imaginative side of O’Connor is seen within the abstract designs she creates in camera with a little sculptured post processing in Photoshop.
They are then fine-tuned and sold as wall art in Australia.
Entering the Scone Photographic Prize was a first for O’Connor – but it probably won’t be her last time.
“To be honest, I was doing it as a favour for a friend who had sent out an email to a few of us who are members of the contemporary group within the Australian Photographic Society,” she said.
“He wanted some works from us.
“And, I think I may have been the only person who responded to the request.
“But, I had no idea that my work would be considered good, let alone to be a winner.
“I received an honorary mention for the other entry, too.
“Both artworks were purchased by the sponsor, Roger Skinner, for his collection.
“That’s quite an honour.
“I hold Roger in very high esteem within the photographic art scene.”
Congratulations also went to some of the other awardees including Prunella Hayes, Joan Faras, Karen Davis, John Ray, Hilary Nicol and Amanda Gaffney Ray, who took home the Bruce Roberts-Thompson Trophy for the second consecutive year.
