Welcome to the 2020 Art2Life International Juried Art Exhibition. We are honored to share with you thoughts from our Juror, Julie Nester:
“It was an honor to be asked to jury this exhibition. I am always excited to see so much new artwork from artists that I may not be familiar with. With that said, this was one of the most difficult exhibitions to jury since there was such a wide variety of work both representational and non-objective, and so many good pieces from around the world. With over 3,300 artworks from 1,163 artists it was very difficult to not only select an exhibition of just 50 pieces, but choosing the top 4 was extremely challenging. This is why I have included 2 additional selections that I have identified as Juror's Recognition.
While picking the final group for the exhibition, I searched for pieces that were engaging; they demonstrate quality, uniqueness, a story to tell or just pieces that continued to draw me in. I observed excellent ideas, compositions, balance, and palettes. I wanted to select a show that covered a variety of work and not just one genre. I wanted to include a selection of high quality pieces regardless, of subject matter. With an art degree and over 30 years of being in the art business, I trusted my eye and gut to help me pick the final selections.
My first place selection, “Pumpkin Stew Over Sticky Rice” by Nino Yuniardi, includes both movement, balance, and areas where the eye can rest. It shows a luscious paint quality with a very interesting palette of pumpkin and cream. The second place selection, “Lydia” by Laura Lloyd, is a brave portrait. It is both figurative and abstract. Lydia is moody with a story to tell. The paint is energetic with fun elements such as the bunny ears. The third place piece, “Billboard #4 in Blue” by Jeff Horton, while architectural in feeling, incorporates structure but with freedom. The drawn lines and composition give it structure but with loose painting. The honorable mention “Twenty Twenty” by JoAnn Godenir, has a geometric and pleasing composition but with an unexpected grid with squares which are more gestural. The opposing elements in a similar palette create an interesting whole. The two Jurors Recognition pieces, “Red Shoes” by Amy Brakeman Livezey and ”At the Museum (After Mel Bochner)” by Nancy K. Bass, I just could not exclude. Both are painted beautifully with their own unique story. Each piece has a foreground and background that are equally engaging.”
JULIE NESTER GALLERY
www.julienestergallery.com
About the Juror, Julie Nester
Julie Nester, owner of Julie Nester Gallery in Park City, Utah, has over 30 years of experience in the business and curation of Art. Her gallery specializes in contemporary art and represents emerging, mid-career, and established artists from the United States and Canada. The art curated encompasses a diversity of styles, including figurative, abstract, and landscape. The gallery offers an exceptional selection of original paintings, mixed media prints, photography, and sculpture.
Awards
SELECTED BY JUROR JULIE NESTER
1st Place - Nino Yuniardi
Award - $2,000
2nd Place - Laura Lloyd
Award - $1,500
3rd Place - Jeff Horton
Award - $1,000
Honorable Mention - JoAnn Godenir
Award - $500