Welcome you to the New Futures online exhibition
New Futures showcases and celebrates the work of artists who live, work or are connected to the City of Whittlesea. It is a fully accessible exhibition, both in person and online, providing a space for local artists to exhibit and promote their work.
This year’s theme invited artists to recognise the changes COVID-19 brought on our community, our country and our planet.
For some, isolation offered an opportunity to slow down and reconnect with themselves or their families. For others it was a stressful time. For some, the economic impact of Covid-19 severely impacted their lifestyles. Others, forced to face down consumerism, found a more sustainable lifestyle enriching.
As restrictions lift and we emerge, we can reset our priorities, refocus our intentions and re-design the world we want to live in.
Artists are innovators capable of imagining a whole new world. This exhibition has been an opportunity for you, as artists, to formulate your creative ideas about prioritising and reimagining our new shared futures.
Award recipients from Council’s New Futures exhibition
City of Whittlesea Art Award
“Our Corona” Lucy Cleary
Award of Excellence - Innovative Use of Materials Award
Peter van der Burg
Award of Excellence - Creative Expression
“Be Kind” – Jodie Zutt
“Knitting Grandpa Designs for a new room” – Hayden McLean
Award of Excellence - Response to Theme Environmental Perspective
“Weaving a sacred vessel” – Gay Chatfield
Award of Excellence - Response to Theme Social Perspective
“By my Side” – Sandra Ellis-Nock
Ilma Duncan Award
“Protect the untouched nature for future” – Bhagya Rhupasinghe
Highly Commended
“Colours after Covid” – Billie Wright
“We’re all in this together” – Ryan Dhindsa
“We keep away to get much closer” – Mohamed Abumeis
“Bridge” – Frank Durso
“Marigolds” – Vida Ryan
“The wisdom of my grandmother” – Iaki Vallejo”
New Futures judges:
Lydia Wilson, Chair of Administrators, City of Whittlesea
Catherine Blakey, Member of Council’s Acquisitions Advisory Group, artist & local resident
Kate McCaughey, Director Community Wellbeing, City of Whittlesea
Suzi Duncan, Artist & local resident, judged the Ilma Duncan Award
