Interview with Sandra Guy - 2018 Stanthorpe Art Prize 2D Award Winner
Sandra Guy- Casuarina Landscape with Coffee Van. Significant 2D Award Winner, Stanthorpe Art Prize 2018.
What made you decide to enter the Stanthorpe Art Prize in 2018?
I know of other artists who had exhibited artwork in the Prize and they encouraged me to submit an entry. I had always seen it as an art prize of excellent standing, so when I saw a call for entries and knew that I had something worthwhile submitting that year, I did. The prize money was also an excellent drawcard.
Has winning a prize in the 2018 Stanthorpe Art Prize changed anything in your art life?
Firstly the prize money was very helpful and I put most of it back into my arts practice. Winning a prize is sometimes an acknowledgement of hard work and the Judges comments confirmed for me that I was effectively communicating my message. Winning also gave me a confidence boost and I believe, opened up new opportunities in my arts practice.
Did you gain any exposure from being a winner?
Yes I believe I did get increased traffic to my website and it was a great addition to my CV which enabled me to secure commercial representation in the USA.
Where has your work taken you since 2018?
Since 2018 I was filmed for an episode of 'Colour in your Life". This was instigated by the Murwillumbah Arts Trail who had won a grant and invited myself and another artist in the Region to be filmed. After that, I was invited by Agora Gallery in New York to put in a submission for representation, which was successful. During 2018 and 2019 I have been represented by Agora and have been involved in a successful group exhibition with other International artists at the gallery in September 2019. This has now led to an invitation for a solo exhibition in New York at Artifact Gallery in 2022. I am currently working on a new series of artwork connected to the artwork exhibited in the Stanthorpe Art Prize, exploring the sublime in Regional NSW.
Do you plan to enter the 2020 Stanthorpe Art Prize?
Yes absolutely.
Would you like to add anything else?
Exhibiting at the Stanthorpe Art Prize was an extremely positive experience for me. Even if I didn't win a prize I loved the drive out there and exploring the region. The gallery staff were very friendly and the opening was a great event.
More of Sandra’s work: