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Dick Bishop Memorial Prize Winner Announced

Local artist Rod Bechaz has been announced as the winner of the inaugural Dick Bishop Memorial Prize. Mr Bechaz was selected for his photographs of the Wilson’s Promontory coastline using a pin-hole camera.

By Latrobe City - 12th September 2007 - Back to News

The inaugural prize, in honour of the late Richard (Dick) Bishop, includes a two-week exhibition at the Latrobe Regional Gallery, together with assistance by gallery staff in all aspects of the exhibition organisation including invitations, advertising, exhibition installation and an opening night. The total value of the package is $1800.

Latrobe City mayor, Cr Tony Zimora, said the Dick Bishop Memorial Prize presented a great opportunity for a local artist to experience the excitement of holding their own exhibition and to really get their work and name out into the public arena. "We congratulate Mr Bechaz on winning this inaugural event and look forward to seeing the resulting exhibition of his work," Cr Zimora said.

"I also congratulate the Latrobe Regional Gallery on initiating this prize, as it is a substantial encouragement to artists in our community. Our community will be the richer for experiencing the work of Dick Bishop Memorial Prize winners at their subsequent exhibitions."

Latrobe Regional Gallery director, Jacqui Hemsley, said the Dick Bishop Memorial Prize promotes excellence in the arts. "This award is in recognition of Richard (Dick) Bishop, 1929 – 2004, who initiated ‘The Jason Club,’ the forerunner to the ‘Latrobe Valley Gallery Society’. Mr Bishop was instrumental in founding the Latrobe Regional Gallery and the memorial prize is testament to his passion for supporting emerging local artists.

The images in Rod Bechaz’ work were taken using a pin-hole camera; the earliest form of photography, to create his beautiful black and white images.

Mr Bechaz said that with most of the exposures being around 20 seconds, you are not just capturing a fraction of time, but a space in time. "The result gives the image a sense of depth that aims to let the viewer enter and also explore," Mr Bechaz explained.

Mr Bechaz’ exhibition ‘A Hole in the Sand’ opens at the Latrobe Regional Gallery on Thursday 18 October and finishes on 5 November.

The Latrobe Regional Gallery is open 7 days a week, Monday to Friday 10am – 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 11am – 4pm. Admission is free. For more information, contact the gallery on 5128 5700, fax 5128 5706 or email lrg@latrobe.vic.gov.au

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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