Media release

October, 2007 For immediate use

The Inaugural Eutick Memorial Still Life Award - EMSLA 2007

October 2007 saw the awarding of a prestigious new art prize for still life painting in the Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery.

With entries from more than 200 artists across Australia, EMSLA 2007 was an enormous success.

Dr Mal Eutick, CEO of Sydney-based pharmaceutical company Phebra sponsored the prize, a first of its kind in Australia:

"I wish to congratulate all of the winners and entrants who participated in the EMSLA and made this inaugural event such a success. I look forward to welcoming many more artists for next year's competition."

The EMSLA prize has been launched in honour of Dr Eutick's late mother - Lilian - who was a great lover of the still life discipline.

International composer Elena Kats-Chernin (famous for her Wild Swans) was invited to compose Lilians Aria for mezzo-soprano, piano and euphonium.  The work was performed at the awards ceremony for the first time.

Judging works from a broad range of disciplines and styles were:

John McDonald, Art Critic for the Australian Financial Review, Steve Bush, Director of the John Gordon Gallery located at 358-362 Harbour Drive, Coffs Harbour and Jude McBean, Director of Grafton Regional Gallery.

Sam Leach of Melbourne prevailed with his surrealist work 'Monitored Skulls'.

The Regional Artist's prize was awarded to Sara Wade for her painting, 'The Pitcher'.

The People's Choice Award went to Roger Byrt for his piece entitled 'Origami Blue'.

For more information about EMSLA, please contact Tony Chadwick at tony.c@phebra.com.