Kedumba Collection Award winners to be announced

Orange Mayor Reg Kidd said the annual award has showcased some of Australia’s most eminent artists during its 28 year history, and this year includes drawings by 19 of the most accomplished artists working in Australia.

“The Kedumba Collection of Australian Drawings is a well-known collection currently on long-term loan to the Orange Regional Gallery,” Cr Kidd said.

“Our gallery is the guardian of one of the country’s most prestigious collections and from this weekend we can see a select few of those works in an exhibition timed to coincide with the annual award.

“This year’s judge, Derek Whitehead, who holds a PhD from the University of Sydney and is a practising artist, an independent researcher and writer, has also curated an exhibition in gallery 3.

“So you can come along and see the latest entries from 19 artists who were invited to submit a work for inclusion in the Kedumba collection, but also see existing works in the collection in an exhibition called On a Human Scale: Portraying the Figure.”

Orange City Council’s Services Policy Committee Chair Kevin Duffy said Orange was incredibly lucky to be the host city for this collection.

“Orange residents have access to some of the best artists in Australia, some of the best drawings right here,” Cr Duffy said.

“It’s a drawcard for tourists across the country to come and see this annual award and have a chance at viewing some of the works in the collection, which includes more than 230 drawings.

“It’s an incredibly diverse collection because drawings are chosen to be included by different judges every year.

“For this reason there is guaranteed to be drawings that appeal to anyone’s taste and interest.”

Participating artists are invited by the Kedumba Trust’s Director Jeffrey Plummer and Curator Marlene Plummer who carefully select each artist based on artistic merit and commitment to the practice of drawing.

At 3pm December 16, this year’s Judge, Dr Whitehead will speak about the drawings in the exhibition, announce the acquisitions and open the exhibition.

Everyone is welcome to attend the event.

This year’s The Kedumba Drawing Award and coinciding exhibition On a Human Scale: Portraying the Figure will run from December 16 to January 21.