12 May 2004

Manukau Arts Photographic Competition Awards

An awards evening was held last Friday at the Nathan Homestead, Manurewa, to announce the winners in the Council photographic competition currently on show there. Manukau Mayor, Sir Barry Curtis, presented the awards chosen from the 85 exhibits.

The Judges, photographers Chris Traill and Terry Klavenes, named a winner, runner up and highly commended in the 6 categories along with an overall winner. Winners received $500 and runners up, $50.

Winner of the 'Culture' and the 'Nature' categories was Robert Hart from Papatoetoe who was also the over all winner, for which he received a camera; Freda Dibble from Mangere was runner up for 'Culture' and Shona Kebbel from Pakuranga for 'Nature'; The 'Open' category was won by Manurewa resident Tina Cameron with Shona Kebble again featuring as Runner Up; Brett Penlington was winner and Trish Armstrong, runner up for the 'Places' category - they are both from Howick; and the 'People' category was won by Ib Olsen and runner up was Mary-Anne Aukino - they both reside in Manurewa.

The Junior Open category was won by Gabriella Bookhorn, from Alfriston who received two passes to Rainbow's End and runner up in this section was Weymouth's Hana Kaihe-Tairi.

Judge, Chris Traill, praised the overall standard of entries and then commented on the overall winner as a good example of a thought provoking, outstanding image, saying, "The purpose of a photo is to express an idea, and Robert Hart's 'Tatoos make the man' did that in a very simple, effective way. Very often in art 'less is more' and this black and white photo of legs from the knees down standing on grass, with a ta moko on one calf, had a symbolism challenging one to think of the message being conveyed.

"Photography, like all art is very subjective, and as long as you love what you do, that is enough. No matter what your subject, whether it be a beautiful sunset or an old door frame with chipping paint, the results can be just as impressive. I have loved this career since I discovered it at the age of 13 and it has been an obsession ever since."

For future competitions he advises participants presentation is very important, to aim for clean images of a good size and not to over mount the photo. Originality and simplicity are key words to keep in mind and also remember to read the instructions.

For those people interested in seeing the exhibition living in the western side of the city, the exhibition will close at the Nathan Homestead on the 27 May and reopen at the Mangere Community Arts Outreach Services' Gallery from 14 June -15 July.

ENDS

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