Niloufar Lovegrove awarded 2023 Bayton Award
The gentle, thoughtful work of Rockhampton’s Niloufar (Nellie) Lovegrove has been recognised by the Rockhampton Museum of Art, with the Iranian-Australian artist awarded the 2023 Bayton Award.
Her work Resonance of Freedom is a sculpture about the ongoing Iranian protests over women’s rights.
It was chosen from 44 entries by 39 artists living in Central Queensland region.
Award judge Hamish Sawyer describes the work as “a potent symbol of artistic freedom and self-expression. The decorated sitar, delicately balanced on a ponytail speaks to the oppression of women in Iran, and around the world. Its elegantly precarious form acts as a powerful reminder of female resistance, hope, and solidarity.”
The runner-up award went to Chinese-Australian artist Hanbing (Lucy) Lu for Rockhampton Shan Shui, an artist book which uses a traditional watercolour method to represent the Rockhampton landscape.
Rockhampton Regional Council Communities and Heritage spokesperson Drew Wickerson congratulated the winners.
“This year’s Bayton Award has seen the biggest turnout of entrants from throughout the greater Central Queensland area ever received in this award’s decade-long history.
“It is a much sought-after art prize for regionally based artists and I am very pleased that Rockhampton Regional Council through Rockhampton Museum of Art is able to offer this opportunity,” he said.
Organised by Rockhampton Museum of Art (RMOA), The Bayton Award is open to artists working with all form of art media residing in Central Queensland, covering local government areas of Rockhampton, Livingstone, Gladstone, Banana, Woorabinda, Central Highlands, Isaac, Barcaldine, Blackall-Tambo, Longreach, Winton, Barcoo, Diamantina and Boulia.
The Bayton Award 2023 Finalist Exhibition will be on display until 26 November at Rockhampton Museum of Art. Entry is free.
The Bayton Award 2023 winner Niloufar (Nellie) Lovegrove (3rd from left) with her winning artwork, Resonance of Freedom, standing with judge Hamish Sawyer, RMOA Director Jonathan McBurnie, Deputy Mayor Neil Fisher, Cr Cherie Rutherford, Cr Shane Latcham and Cr Donna Kirkland. Photo: Amble Folk.