90-year-old wins top prize at Randwick Women’s Day Art competition

By DANIEL LO SURDO

A 90-year-old Randwick woman, who only took up painting 12 months ago in art therapy classes after suffering a stroke, has won the first prize in the Randwick International Women’s Day Art competition.

Elena Guerrera took out the top gong in the 20+ year-old category for her work ‘The ship I arrived in’, which was inspired by the vessel that took her from her native Naples in 1958, as a 27-year-old following her husband to Australia.

Guerrera started painting in art therapy classes in her nursing home after her stroke left her in a wheelchair and unable to use the left side of her body. Guerrera’s daughter, Anna, said that “painting has given Mum purpose and passion”, adding that it has “brought meaning to her days”.

Entries at this year’s competition were judged by arts professional Tesha Malott, who called Guerrera’s work very topical and a “lovely and skilful naive-style painting”.

“With the Australian borders now open, we have an opportunity to reconnect with loved ones after a long period, while making room for citizens of the world who are displaced by war, oppression, and climate change, making this artwork impactful and current,” Malott said.

The winner of the 12-19-year-old category at the awards was Niranjana Ghosh for ‘Joker’, with the councillor’s choice prize going to Jessica Mang for ‘Mistress’, and to Tanya Duckworth for ‘Dames d’Heremes: Selle des steppes’ in the 20+ year-old category.

Selected works from the competition will be on display at the Lionel Bowen Library Gallery in Maroubra from 15 March-24 April.