KARLEE RAWKINS WINS THE

2003 BRETT WHITELEY TRAVELLING ART SCHOLARSHIP

18 September 2003: It was announced at the Brett Whiteley Studio in Sydney's Surry Hills, that Karlee Rawkins, from Corndale near Lismore in northern New South Wales, is the winner of the fifth Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship. Her winning work, Bitch in India, is painted with acrylic and damar varnish on canvas, measuring 130 x 100cm.

Bitch in India was inspired by Karlee's travel in India and Nepal during 2000-01. "My work is about compromise and vulnerability. My inspiration for this work was the sad sight of this malnourished bitch trying desperately to feed her pups. I'm still drawing influence from the colours and subjects from my time in Asia".

172 entries were received from around Australia, of which 39 have been shortlisted for exhibition at the Brett Whiteley Studio where they will be on display until 30 November.

Twenty-six year old Karlee Rawkins initially studied at the University of Southern Queensland, and in 1999 completed an Honours year in Visual Arts at Southern Cross University in northern New South Wales. She is a full-time practicing artist, and has participated in several group exhibitions and had a solo exhibition at Gallery Paul in Melbourne earlier this year.

Commenting on the award, Karlee said, "The experience of leaving the small and relatively remote village of Corndale for the opportunities that Paris will provide is very exciting. It will give me the opportunity to put lots of effort into my work, and will be truly rewarding."

In 1999 Mrs. Beryl Whiteley made funds available for the establishment and on-going support of the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship. Her inspiration for the scholarship was the profound influence the awarding of the Italian Travelling Art Scholarship had on her son.

Entry for the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship is open to Australian artists aged between 20 and 30. The Scholarship comprises an amount of $25,000 and a 3-month residency at Cite Internationale des Arts in Paris, which is administered by the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Artist Jon Cattapan, Edmund Capon, Director of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and Barry Pearce, Head Curator of Australian Art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales, judged this year's Scholarship.

Finalists' paintings will be exhibited at the Brett Whiteley Studio from Saturday, 20 September to Sunday, 30 November 2003.