“Some of the artists are hopping mad and are saying that they won’t enter the competition again next year,” he said.
Margaret Woodward, of Sydney, said that she was disappointed.
Artist Phil Clarke with his subject, barrister and politician Clive Evatt.Credit:Staff photographer
“I went and had a look at the exhibition and although I certainly felt the exhibition could have been more exciting and that it was not up to the standards of previous years in shocking the public there was still a fair number of paintings that were up to the standard.
“It is a real slap in the face to be told that your painting is bad.
“I think there is a tremendous amount of competition for the whole thing and I don’t see why it should fall flat on its face this year.”
Frank Hodgkinson of Kenthurst, described the decision as “a bit like Scrooge at Christmas time.
Hopping mad… Sydney artist Brian Dunlop.Credit:Staff photographer
“I didn’t like the reaction of the trustees; they seemed to be jubilant when they announced that they were going to withhold the prize.”
Mr Hodgkinson said he also did not like entering competitions as felt like a performing monkey beside an organ grinder.
Reinis Zusters, of Wentworth Falls, said the exhibition was better than last year’s.
Mr Zusters said that he thought it was very difficult for 10 people to come to an agreement.
One art dealer talking to an artist summed it up, saying that had the Melbourne Cup winner been below standard, the horse would not have lost the prize.
Mr Zusters felt the same way: “If a race is won by three inches or three metres it is still won and an art competition is not different to a sporting competition, the best one should win the award.”
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