Interview with Mela Cooke - 2018 Stanthorpe Art Prize Volunteers Choice Award Winner
What made you decide to enter the Stanthorpe Art Prize in 2018?
The Swimmer by Mela Cooke. Volunteers Choice Award 2018 Stanthorpe Art Prize.
I had already entered the Stanthorpe Art Prize previously, in 2016.
Has winning a prize in the 2018 Stanthorpe Art Prize changed anything in your art life?
One thing that was really nice about the exhibition for me was meeting Gina & Tim Fairfax (who bought my sculpture) as I then invited Gina to open an exhibition I had later that year, which she did (they also purchased another of my sculptures then). They are a lovely couple.
Did you gain any exposure from being a winner?
I’m not sure about gaining exposure, it seems to be a progressive thing over the years.
Where has your work taken you since 2018?
I am certainly becoming busier every year, and now have work in eight galleries throughout Australia, so am definitely a full-time sculptor!
Do you plan to enter the 2020 Stanthorpe Art Prize?
I may enter the 2020, I’ll decide in the next few months.
One thing that I find frustrating is that with every Art Exhibition that involves both 2D & 3D is that the major prize is always given to a 2D work ( this is the case at the Rotary Art Exhibition in Brisbane as well which has been going for probably 20 years!) and that is always disappointing for we 3D artists.
Would you like to share any of your recent works with our followers?
I am about to be part of a group exhibition in Flinders Vic (see flyers below) and then am having a solo exhibition in Sorrento, Vic, at Manyung Gallery, called Women In Action, in January. I’ll have 14 bronzes of various sportswomen there.
The Vollyballer by Mela Cooke. Bronze.