A CONFRONTING portrait showing a face with sewn lips has won the $2000 Rotary Club of Tuggeranong Art Award, it was announced at a function in Tuggeranong Arts Centre this evening.

“Scarred,” an acrylic portrait on canvas by Stephanie McClory, a 20-year-old student at Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, was selected unanimously by a judging panel made up of three past winners of the 21 year old award, Tiffany Cole (2008), Hayley Lander (2010 and 2011) and Sebastian Perri (1998).

Cole said of the winning work: “We were all struck initially by the visual impact of the painting, and the confronting nature of the image depicted.

“As you step closer to the work, however, a more-subtle and complex experience emerges which is very compelling.” Lander added. “My initial feeling of repulsion from the imagery was taken over by intrigue as I viewed the piece over an extended period of time.”

Perri said: “Skill and eye for detail demonstrated by this young artist is truly exceptional.”

A unanimous “highly commended” went to the work “Morning”, by Tori Stoltz.

All three judges are exhibiting work in “Silver TRYA”, a curated exhibition presented as part of the centre’s silver anniversary celebrations, alongside photography by Paul Mosig and Lauren Hewitt.

“TRYA” is the nicknamename applied to the long-running award in the past few years. Before that it was always just known  as “Tuggeranong Rotary Youth Arts Award.” The idea has  been to help artists aged 15-25 kick-start a career, but the winners in this award include significant figures in the Australian landscape like Danie Mellor and the judges, all more succeeders than triers.

“Silver TRYA” exhibition, at Tuggeranong Arts Centre until June 27.