Source: Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
The 2020 Miles Art Awards hosted by Tauranga Art Gallery proved another exciting night for Toi Ohomai Bachelor of Creative Industries (BCI) graduates.
This year’s finalists featured 40 artworks from artists residing in the Bay of Plenty.
These works were put on display in a curated exhibition, the sixth installment of the biannual awards and exhibition at Tauranga Art Gallery.
Toi Ohomai BCI graduate Israel Randall won the Supreme Award, which included a cash prize of $10 000 for her work, Wahi Ngaro, 2019, a striking installation of electroluminescent wire.
Judge Sarah Hudson said about her work: “This artist has created a surprising, edgy work that grounds us deep down into the bones of this land.
“I enjoy the subtle sound element of the work which I read as screaming into the void. Entering an installation piece into an open competition is a bold move, the striking visual impact of Wahi Ngaro and its strong conceptual foundations rooted in mātauranga Māori has resulted in a very moving experience for the audience.”
Another graduate, Zig Beatnik took home the Friends of Tauranga Art Gallery Award for Anarchist, 2018.
The Miles Art Awards began in 2010 and were named after Venetta Miles who is one of Tauranga Art Gallery’s original donors. Entries are open to all Bay of Plenty citizens over 18 and this year over 100 were received.
