Shorncliffe artist’s winning portrait portrays ‘darker emotions’

A Shorncliffe artist has won the inaugural National Biennial Outsider Art Awards run by Wesley Mission Queensland’s Art from the Margins program.

Andrew Neilan won the inaugural National Biennial Outsider Art Awards with his self-portrait "Spilt Milk". Picture: Art From The Margins/John Pryke

AN artist from Shorncliffe has won the inaugural National Biennial Outsider Art Awards run by Wesley Mission Queensland’s Art from the Margins (AFTM) program.

Andrew Neilan, 46, who titled his winning self-portrait Spilt Milk, said it was an honour and privilege to be chosen as the winner.

“So many of the images we see in the media and on social media are all about beauty and happiness,” Mr Neilan said.

National Art School director and CEO Steven Alderton with Andrew Neilan of Shorncliffe, inaugural winner of the National Biennial Outsider Art Awards. Picture: Art From The Margins/John Pryke

“I wanted to create an artwork portraying those darker, harder emotions that we don’t normally see.

“I taught myself to paint as a teenager, but it’s only been in the past two years that I’ve returned to art and I’ve been working hard to hone my skills and it means a lot to share my story and art with others.”

Janice Crosbie of Brighton received one of five Emerging Artist awards.

AFTM’s Outsider Art Awards for South East Queensland artists have been running annually since 2008 to coincide with Disability Action Week in Queensland (September 15-22).

This year it was opened nationally for the first time, to highlight new and emerging artists living with adversity across Australia.

It will be held biennially, alternating with the local awards.

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Wesley Mission Queensland CEO Geoff Batkin said the AFTM program was created to bring artists together and to bridge the gap between those living in isolation and the wider arts community and the public.

“Art from the Margins is more than just a visual arts program — it provides artists with creative support, mentoring and professional development, art workshops, and the opportunity to exhibit their work to the wider community,” Mr Batkin said.

“Artists are given the opportunity to exhibit and sell their artwork to the wider community, and to build connections and relationships with people in the community.”

The winning artworks, along with 53 other short-listed entries, will be on display at the Art from the Margins Gallery, 136 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley until October 5.

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The public is invited to vote for the People’s Choice Award, to be announced on October 6.

AFTM program general manager Stephanie Lindquist said more than 170 artists entered the new competition.

The winners were chosen by Steven Alderton, Director and CEO of the National Art School in Sydney.