Lea Taylor is a Perth born Aboriginal Artist who’s cultural connections are to the Wadandi Menang clan groups of the South West of Western Australia. Lea is pushing boundaries and honouring a traditional Aboriginal craft in her contemporary weaving and mixed media exploration. With a gentle but strong confidence Lea has learnt the traditional techniques of cultural weaving. From this platform she has respectfully moved into the fine art realm of exploration in both cultural story and artistic discovery. Lea’s work comes from a firm cultural base, a strong connection to country and story through the use of bones, feathers, wood, natural dyes and fibres; defining a new whilst incorporating old story in her forms. Lea takes us on a journey reminiscent of the past with her exploration of decorative, spirituality important and practical objects. Lea’s work has been likened to Master Weaves, Yvonne Koolmatrie and Judy Watson through her skill, range of exploration and playful improvisations. Lea has exhibited in several group exhibitions and presented her first solo exhibition in 2020 at the Kent Street Gallery. She was awarded the Perth NAIDOC Award Artist of the Year 2020 Runner-up and was the overall winner at the inaugural Art of Wellbeing Exhibition in 2018.

The prestigious John Stringer Prize – created in 2015 in honour of acclaimed curator, the late John Stringer (1937–2007) – commissions six contemporary Western Australian artists to create new work from which the winning artist will be determined by a secret ballot conducted by The Collectors Club members.

The exhibition features new work created specifically for the Prize by Merrick Belyea, Theo Costantino, Daniel Kristjansson, Clare McFarlane, Ross Potter and Lea Taylor, in a range of media including drawing, painting, photography, installation and textiles.

The John Stringer Prize is a non-acquisitive, annual award aimed at recognising and supporting outstanding Western Australian visual art practice and is generously supported by The Collectors Club and the Kerry Stokes Collection. The Prize was established in memory of John Stringer, renowned Curator of the Kerry Stokes Collection and advisor to The Collectors Club, who passed away in 2007. It honours John’s life and the legacy of his influence on and contribution to local visual arts and culture. In keeping with John’s passionate devotion to the arts, and his wish to see greater patronage of local talent, the Prize is intended to encourage and support Western Australian artists.

The Prize, which was conceived and facilitated by The Collectors Club, connects locally based artists with collectors, thus contributing to the vibrancy and economic viability of the Western Australian art scene.

The John Stringer Prize 2021 is open 19 November – 15 December 2021.

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