2021 Woollam Art on Show award winners: full list

The judge explained what emotional connection she needed to have with an artwork to award it the overall winner.

A “tug at the guts” was enough for a nationally-acclaimed Australian artist to award the Woollam Art on Show’s 2021 award winner.

Tracey Heathwood adjudicated more than 250 pieces of art at the awards night, with work traversing across a diverse range of styles and themes, but found the emotional connection with Greg Cannon’s work.

“I guess what I’m looking for is a tug at the guts, what makes the work really difficult to walk past and it resonates with me,” Mrs Heathwood said.

“It was technically a very good print, but it also really captures something that is quite unique about our coastal landscape.

“I could imagine chancing myself upon this beach and being on my own, picking my way through the driftwood and the rocks.

Pip Matthews' art 'Mr Moon – Luna Park Melbourne' that came second for Works on Paper at the Woollam Art on Show awards night, August 6, 2021. Picture: Matthew Forrest

Pam Slattery's Artist Book 'My Country', that came second at the Woollam Art on Show awards night, August 6, 2021. Picture: Matthew Forrest

Mrs Heathwood awarded Mackay artist Greg Cannon the overall winner for his work Driftwood Retreat. Cannon had previously won a separate category at the awards night.

Mr Cannon was awarded a $3000 grand prize for his triumph at the show.

Mrs Heathwood said judging a wide range of different art was a difficult process, but she had figured out a system.

“I want to be forced to think about it for a long time, I do look at the technical and design aspects of the works, but it’s difficult when you’re dealing with so many different mediums and styles,” Mrs Heathwood said.

“There’s no set theme for what the artwork has to speak about, that makes the show a very democratic exhibition and it’s really exciting because we get to discover artists throughout our region.

Hailey Rodger's art 'Look Up' won the emergent artist award category at the Woollam Art on Show awards night, August 6, 2021. Picture: Matthew Forrest

Woollam Art on Show award recipients

Overall Winner: Greg Cannon – Driftwood Retreat

Easel Painting: Clinton Barker – Got a Hold on Me

Clinton Barker's art 'Got a Hold on Me' won the Easel Painting category at the Woollam Art on Show awards night, August 6, 2021. Picture: Matthew Forrest

Works on Paper: Lyn Laver-Ahmat – Tranquil Waters

Miniature: It Hao Pheh – Journey – Healesville, VIC

It Hao Pheh's art "Journey – Healesville, VIC' won the Miniature Award category at the Woollam Art on Show awards night, August 6, 2021. Picture: Matthew Forrest

Emergent Artist: Hailey Rodger – Look Up

Artists’ Book: Traci Lietzke – Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses, free yourself, wear a pair

Traci Lietzke's art 'Men seldom make passes at girls who wear glasses, free yourself, wear a pair' won the Artists' Book category at the Woollam Art on Show awards night, August 6, 2021. Picture: Matthew Forrest