Calls for art featuring Australian landscape as conservation group host major art show

Paintings of trees hanging in an old lumber shed with statues outside standing tall in the empty yard were amongst some of the artwork that featured at last year’s Ludlow Art Prize.

And now, the Ludlow Tuart Forest Restoration Group are calling for entries for their 2024 exhibition, hoping to bring in artist from across the state.

Exploring the theme Australian Landscape the competition is open to two mediums of artwork — two-dimensional mixed medium and sculptures. Both categories have the chance to win $5000, with an additional $1000 up for grabs for the people choice award.

The two-dimensional work calls for artist to explore and interpret the theme in their own unique way, open to a range of mediums with only photography excluded.

Sculptures have the opportunity to display their works under the canopy of majestic, critically endangered tuart trees.

LTFRG president Holger Topp said the group was thrilled to begin accepting submissions.

“This is an excellent opportunity for artists across Western Australia to share their creative vision of the Australian landscape,” he said.

Chair of the Ludlow Art Prize committee Di Caffey said the driving force behind the art prize has been to highlight the significance of the environment.

“There is great synergy between the theme celebrating Australian Landscapes and the passion of the LTFRG to shine a light on and preserve the listed and critically endangered Tuart Forest,” she said.

“The Ludlow Tuart Forest is, after all, the last remaining Tuart Forest in the world — a very unique ecosystem that is under threat and we need greater awareness.”

While the 2023 art show was limited to artists from the South West, Ms Caffey said its success had meant the group have opened up to entries from across the state.

“We hope to create a greater impact for both the art community and the environmental cause,” she said.

Ludlow Art Prize committee member and sculptor Mark Alderson said visual arts are often a unique insight that speaks directly from someone’s heart.

“Our aim is to display all artworks entered giving each artwork the space it deserves and not compromise on that,” he said

If the group are overrun with entries, they may bring the closing date forward, so they suggest all artists enter early.

Terms and conditions and submission details can be found on their website, with submissions now open and set to close on August 31.

The winners will be announced at the opening night of the exhibition on September 27, with the exhibition running through to October 6.