The Annual School of Art Drawing Prize 2014 presents student artworks from all disciplines and workshops from the ANU School of Art. This year’s judges are Dr Robert Wellington, Centre for Art History and Art Theory, ANU School of Art, and Helene Weeding, visiting artist, Painting Workshop, ANU School of Art. Helene is also a current PhD candidate at the Tasmanian School of Arts, UTAS.

Congratulations to this year's winner, Cat Mueller, an Honours student studying in the Painting workshop. The judges' decision was unanimous among a high standard of works. There were also three artists highly commended: Jenna Vincent from Printmedia and Drawing; Naomi Zouwer, from Textiles; and Bifei Cao from the Gold and Silversmithing workshop.

Below are the judges' comments.

The judging for the prize this year was very taxing as the standard achieved by the students who submitted works was extremely high, with many appealing to the judges.  The works that warranted special attention and consideration and have been highly commended are those by Jenna Vincent from Printmedia and Drawing, Naomi Zouwer, from Textiles and Bifei Cao from the Gold and Silversmithing workshop.

The 2014 ANU School of Art Drawing Prize is awarded to Cat Mueller, an Honours student from the Painting workshop.

There is a dualism present in the work where Cat has taken the irrevocable line for a walk. In Captivating Colours contemporary materials have been employed, which give the work a light and present feeling. The work crosses boundaries between colour studies, drawing and sculpture, which expands the definition for this prize. The shape of the line in space evokes an unconscious wandering of the mind but also the trace of casting a simple organism from the earth or sea.

Cat has made a significant investment of both time and resources in this piece, which demonstrates a substantial commitment to her practice and we would like to congratulate her on receiving this award.

Dr Robert Wellington and Helene Weeding

– August 2014