Media release – UTAS, 24 July 2023

Hadley’s student art prize announced

South Australian student Azi Hudson has been awarded the Hadley’s national art prize for senior secondary students, presented by the University of Tasmania.

Azi’s painting Crosswind was selected by a panel of experts at the University and the Hadley’s Art prize judges.

Azi, who is 16 and in Grade 11 at Cardijn College in Adelaide’s south, said the gouache-on-board work had been inspired by a family tradition.

“My artwork Crosswind connects to my family’s sailing roots, through the theme of a journey,” Azi said.

“I connected to this theme through illustrating my grandad’s old yacht Crosswind. This artwork serves as a snapshot of the past and represents the journey between my grandad, then as a sailor, and now as he is a sailor no longer.”

Azi’s technique was inspired by the watercolours of American painters Winslow Homer and Steven Lush.

The national student prize is part of the 2023 Hadley’s Art Prize. The winner will have their work exhibited alongside the main exhibition’s finalists, be featured on the cover of the respected journal Australian Art Education and receive $500 towards art supplies.

The judges considered the student’s creativity and technical skill, with an emphasis on artwork that is imaginative or profound in its response to contemporary art themes.

Now in its third year, the student prize has gone interstate for the first time.

“Azi’s work is a beautifully executed painting that expresses special family memories of journeys at sea,” judging panel member Milan Milojevic said.

Senior Lecturer in Art Education at the University of Tasmania and President of Art Education Australia, Dr Abbey MacDonald, said the prize was an important stepping stone for young artists.

“This is a significant opportunity for an Australian senior secondary student to have their artwork nationally recognised,” Dr MacDonald said.

“Across senior secondary syllabus nationally, there is an emphasis on visual art and design students to pursue opportunities authentic to professional art practice.”

The Hadley’s Art Prize exhibition and events take place at Hadley’s Orient Hotel from July 22 – August 20. More information is available at hadleysartprize.com.au.