27 August 2010:  Belem Lett, 23, from Sydney has won the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship for his work, Refraction 2.0. The Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship is now in its twelfth year.

Ninety-nine entries were received from around Australia, nine of which are included in the finalists’ exhibition, online. The winning entry and three other works only will be on show at the Brett Whiteley Studio.

Belem Lett grew up with his artist mother who created opportunities for Belem to explore various methods of art making, from calligraphy and Japanese ink brush painting, to wood carving and drawing. ‘A strong interest in the quality of the drawn mark persists throughout my practice today,’ said Belem. ‘At present I am investigating the urban landscape as one which is under constant construction. I am interested in the industrial and the connection between the way we build the environment around us and the way in which we can construct an image of this space within the mediums of drawing and painting.’ Belem is currently studying for his Master of Fine Arts degree at the College of Fine Arts.

The judges for the 2010 Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship were artist, Angus Nivison, Art Gallery of New South Wales director, Edmund Capon and Barry Pearce, the Gallery’s head curator of Australian art. 

Mrs Beryl Whiteley was awarded an OAM for the creation and endowment of the Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship. The inspiration for this annual scholarship was the profound effect of international travel and study experienced by her son, Brett Whiteley, as a result of winning the Italian Travelling Art Scholarship at the age of 20.

The Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship is open to Australian artists aged between 20 and 30 years. The winner is awarded $25 000 and a three-month residency at the Cité Internationale des Arts in Paris, which is administered by the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

The Brett Whiteley Studio is managed by the Art Gallery of New South Wales.