2020 Start Art Prize Winners

Selected by Monster Theatres curator Leigh Robb

Congratulations to all the monster makers for entering the 2020 Start Art Prize. Here is the list of winners selected by Leigh Robb, curator of the 2020 Adelaide Biennial of Australian Art: Monster Theatres.

Artists Under 3

Under 3, The spikey platypus, Squish wow

Frida


The Spiky Platypus, Squish Wow

Congratulations Frida! Your mutant Platypus porcupine is a colourful monster like no other! Great contrast of soft plasticine and sharp spiky sticks!

Under 3, A duck, octopus and a monster, She make a duck she saw from the gallery and a monster human from her imagination and her favourite octopus

Claire


A duck, octopus and a monster. A duck she saw in the gallery, a monster human from her imagination and her favourite octopus.

Congratulations Claire! This is a very ambitious sculpture and story that brings together an inspired group of animals and humans! Very realistic forms for such a young artist!

Artists 3-5 Years

3-5 years, Horn eye, It has eyes on its horns

Esther


Horn Eyed Monster – it has eyes on its horns

Congratulations Esther! You have created a scary and cool monster with all its spiky horns and eyes and big smiley mouth! Excellent colour choices, black and red and creepy green!

3-5 years, Maraca - Ninanine. Paper cups, gravel, printed paper, Nina nine is a noisy maraca

Queenie


Maraca – Nina nine. Paper cups, gravel. Nina nine is a noisy maraca

Congratulations Queenie! What an original sculpture that is a creature AND a musical instrument! Fantastic use of found materials, the gravel and the paper cups and great use of collage to make the body of Nina Nine! She is an amazing monster with her unicorn horn and wings. What a marvelous and noisy work of art!

Artists 6-8 Years

6-8 years, Pinky the sea monster, She’s fancy with her handbag under the sea

Grace


Pinky the Sea Monster. She’s fancy with her handbag under the sea

Congratulations Grace! Your multi-eyed sculptural Sea Monster pops with orange pink and yellow! What a vibrant use of colour, form and texture, referencing coral reefs and sea anemones. And what fabulous accessorizing! Any self-respecting Sea Monster needs a stylish handbag whilst strutting the sea floor!

6-8 years, Zippy Zap, A creature that is rainbow camouflaged, flies really fast into different dimensions and is rare to find! Beware of Zippy Zap!

Aiden


Zippy Zap, A creature that is rainbow camouflaged, flies really fast into different dimensions and is rare to find! Beware of Zippy Zap!

Congratulations Aiden! What an imaginative and hopeful world you’ve created in your excellent drawing!

Artists Years 9-10

9-10 years, Beautiful Monster, oil on canvas, 40cm diameter, My painting shows the monster that hides inside me, my inner saboteur. I’m letting her act out.

Zazie


Beautiful Monster, oil on Canvas. My painting shows the monster that hides inside me, my inner saboteur

Congratulations! This is an emotive, expressive and brave painting in the form of a mask – capturing the complex psychological monstrous self that can be both beautiful and sometimes destructive!

9-10 years, My monster is a tentacled being with sharp claws and a stinger and many eyes, He likes pina coladas and seaweed and human being burritos

Jasper


My monster is a tentacled being with sharp claws and a stinger and many eyes. He likes pina coladas and seeweed and human being burritos.

Congratulations! Well done for a great monster concept and narrative for this all seeing, ravenous and thirsty little monster! It is small but perfectly formed, and is a real character!

9-10 years, Artist octopus, One eyed monster octopus painting a picture

Scarlett

Artist Octopus, a one-eye’s monster octopus creating a picture

Special recommendation for Scarlett’s Artist Octopus – the many-tentacled cyclops painter. Wonderful use of props with the easel and palette – points for setting the scene and taking us into the artist’s underwater studio!

Artists 11-12 Years

11-12 years, Tentacles, Tentacles

Lola


Tentacles

Congratulations Lola! Beautiful and intricate technique with the tentacles and suckers. Wonderful use of colour and form for your monster of the ocean!

11-12 years, The Circus of Despair, Roll up, Roll up... come and join the Circus of Despair where all is not what it seems!

Georgia


The Circus of despair, Roll up, Roll up... come and join the Circus of Despair where all is not what it seems!

What a side show and shadow play populated by a cavalcade of characters from morphing trees to clowns and dragons! What a monstrous extravaganza! Excellent sculpting and use of texture and form!