Opportunities for Artists:
To Honor Earth Day, Gamblin Offers Artists a Free Tube of Torrit Grey 2001;
New Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award Gives $105,000 to Australian Sculptor; Karen Ward is First Winner

TO HONOR EARTH DAY, GAMBLIN OFFERS ARTISTS A FREE TUBE OF TORRIT GREY 2001

PORTLAND, OR -- During the month of April, 2001, Gamblin Artists Colors Co. will offer artists a free tube of limited edition oil paint. The exclusive new color, Torrit Grey 2001, is made from the recycled pigment dust of every color produced by Gamblin Artists Colors throughout the previous year. Every year, Gamblin formulates Torrit Grey -- both to recycle pigment and to focus artists on the importance of recycling -- and distributes it in April in honor of Earth Day. (April 22)

"Pigment dust should not go into the earth, water or landfill, but into paint," says Robert Gamblin, master paintmaker and president of Gamblin Artists Colors Co.

Over the course of the year, when a bag of pigment is opened in the Gamblin factory, escaping particles are collected in a dust extractor. Each January, the company harvests the pigments from the air-filtration system and makes them into a special oil color Torrit Grey which is made up of at least 60 different pigments. Approximately 5000 37ml (1.25 fluid oz) tubes of Torrit Grey have been produced. Torrit Grey 2001, available for a limited time only, will be distributed to artists in April through Gamblin dealers nationally while supplies last.

Noting that making Torrit Grey stimulates discussion about painting in general and about color mixing in particular," Gamblin says that although each annual issue of Torrit Grey is unique, the pigment tends to have a greenish tinge because of the great strength of the phthalo green pigment. "It varies from an medium dove grey to a dark earthy grey."

Established in 1980, Gamblin Artists Colors Co. is completely dedicated to oil painting materials. Frank Stella, David Hockney, Jim Dine, Chuck Close, James Rosenquist, Wolf Kahn and Nathan Oliveira are among the painters who use Gamblin paints.

Artist Robert Gamblin has been an outspoken advocate of both environmental and studio safety issues for many years. His products are formulated to be environmentally-sound and to eliminate artists' exposure to toxicity, and everything produced at the Gamblin factory is recycled and/or recyclable.

He says: "We invite artists to enjoy the paint today -- to capture its subtle monochromatic excitement because this special color will only exist next year as paintings."

A list of stores which will carry Torrit Grey 2001 can be found on the Gamblin website at http://www.gamblincolors.com In April, a selection of award-winning Torrit Grey paintings as well as guidelines to enter the 2001 Competition will also be available in the website.

INAUGURAL HELEN LEMPRIERE NATIONAL SCULPTURE AWARD GIVES $105,000 TO AUSTRALIAN SCULPTOR; KAREN WARD IS FIRST WINNER

VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA -- The first $105,000 Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award has been given to Victorian Sculptor Karen Ward for her wooden structure HUT, according to THE AGE.

The Helen Lempriere National Sculpture Award was established Under the terms of the Will of the late Mr Keith Wood, husband of Helen Lempriere (1907-1991) -- a leading Australian painter and sculptor whose internationally exhibited work often invoked the Australian national identity through an inclusion of Aboriginal themes.

The Age reports that Karin Ward was choosen from 22 finalists. The judging panel, chaired by Dr Gerard Vaughan, Director of the National Gallery of Victoria, also highly commended three works: Stephen Birch's KNOTTED TREEFORM, Kristian Burford's ROBERT HAS ALSO LOST INTEREST IN HIS GARDEN, and Mathieu Gallois' DRIVE THRU, a lifesize replica of a McDonald's restaurant "drivethru".

The award includes A$80,000 cash, plus a professional development package including presentation and financial planning services. (minimum value of A$25,000) The winning artist's sculpture also becomes part of the Lempriere Collection and will be permanently sited at Parks Victoria's Werribee Park.

The work of all the finalists is currently also on display at the Werribee Park mansion until April 30. As a part of the competition, a $15,000 popular choice award will be given to the finalist whose work receives the most votes of visitors to the exhibition.

Sources/resources:

Gabriella Coslovich
"a shed? No, it's a hut, a hit, and a $105,000 talking point"
THE AGE -- http://www.theage.com.au/
March 22, 2001

HELEN LEMPRIERE NATIONAL SCULPTURE AWARD -- http://www.lempriere.perpetual.com.au/

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