Blue

Our fifth Art competition “Blue” started in December 2024 and concluded on January 23, 2025. Art Room Gallery received entries from many countries around the world: Taiwan, Germany, Canada, USA, Switzerland, Italy, France, Ireland and Australia. The Blue theme in this competition included a diversity in types, styles and mediums (oil on canvas, acrylic, watercolor, digital art, photography). The following evaluation criteria has been used for judging the artwork: creativity, interpretation of the theme, originality and quality of art, overall design, demonstration of artistic ability, and usage of medium. Jury decided to select 41 artworks for inclusion in the exhibition. Aside from First, Second, and Third place Jury also presented Merit awards and Honorable Mention awards.

Thank you, and enjoy the exhibition!

First place

Eric Renard

Blue Chefchaouen

(Archival pigment print)

Eric Renard - Blue Chefchaouen

(archival pigment print)

15'' x 10''

ericrenardphotography.com

Statement:

Eric M Renard is one of California’s leading contemporary fine art photographers. His work has found its way into art galleries in London, Budapest, Greece, Mexico, Brazil and across the Unites States. Eric’s photography has received numerous awards and been published in books and photography magazines, including the cover of Black & White magazine. Eric Renard’s recent exhibitions “Slice of Light”, “Nobody Walk in L.A.”, “Soul of a City” and “Urbanity in Black and White” focused on high contrast, urban cityscapes, reflecting an eerie sense of peace and tranquility. The cityscape is the hero of these photographs, with the people in them subject to the power of their surroundings. At a recent awards ceremony, renowned Los Angeles Art Critic, Edward Goldman stated “I wouldn’t be surprised if the Getty Museum would like to have his work in their collection”.

Statement:

Jason Shih was born in 1972 in Taiwan. In 1991, he began to specialize in metal sculpture when he was a sophomore in the Fine Arts Dept. of Taipei National University of the Arts. In 2001, he graduated from School for American Crafts, Rochester Institute of Technology, USA, and majored in Metal Sculpture. And then, he served as the metal sculptor Albert Paley's assistant, involved in crafts and public art work practices. Furthermore, he earned his Art Ph. D. from China Academy of Art, China (2015). Now, he lives in Taiwan, and consistently engages in the both areas of sculpture and public art. Jason Shih’s artistic vision is shaped by a diverse array of influences, from contemporary dance to avant-garde fashion. He cites German choreographer Pina Bausch and British designer Alexander McQueen as significant inspirations.

Statement:

Cher Pruys, ASAA SCA, IGOR, AAPL, CSAA, AMS, LMS, OSA, MAA, CFA, NOAPS, PSOA, AWA., AAOA. I am a self taught artists working in water based medium, mainly acrylic, but also at times gouache and water-colour. I am a hyperrealism painter fascinated by the world around me. I am very drawn to shiny surfaces as well as transparent objects, especially when the lighting brings them to life. I look for beauty in everyday objects that most people take for granted or just don’t truly see them as they are. The seemingly boring and mundane subjects can truly be like magnets if portrayed in the right light. Shiny metal is one of those materials that can host endless visions….the light hits it and the reflections are captured on the smooth, sleek surface…people and animals especially the eyes...an artists dream! My future art plans are to paint the countless subjects I have chosen to become paintings and to share my art with as many people as I can. "To take my inner visions with my hands and create a work of art for you the viewer .... That is the ultimate in self expression."