The original iconic Impression Exhibition in 1889 was organised and featured paintings by VAS artists Arthur Streeton, Tom Roberts and Charles Conder. It opened on 17 August 1889 at Buxton's Rooms on Swanston Street and featured 183 works, the majority of which were painted on cigar boxes.

Roberts, Conder and Streeton named The 9 by 5 Impression Exhibition, as the majority of the works were painted on nine-by-five-inch wooden boards (many of which were cigar box lids). The small size meant the paintings could be priced to make them accessible to the general public. Over 80 paintings were sold during the exhibition. 

In recognition of this important part of Victorian art history, artists from across Victoria have submitted 386, 9x5 paintings in many different mediums and styles as part of the VAS 9x5 Exhibition.

On the lower right of this work, Roberts incised the date 'June 30 1889'. The painting was very likely one of the 9 inch by 5 inch, cedar cigar-box lid works, exhibited in 'The 9 by 5 Impression Exhibition' which opened in Buxton's Gallery, Swanston Street, Melbourne on 17 August 1889.

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The Judge for the VAS 9x5 Exhibition was Bill Caldwell.

In the 1990s, Bill Caldwell dedicated himself fully to painting and was elected to the esteemed Twenty Melbourne Painters Society in 2004, where he remains an active member and regularly exhibits his work in the Society’s annual art exhibition. His artwork is represented in the Australian Commonwealth Lending collection, the City of Camberwell, and North Broken Hill collections. Additionally, his work is held in private collections across the globe, including England, Greece, France, Germany, the USA, Japan, and throughout Australia.

Source: Peninsula Art Society

Gwendoline Krumins VAS receiving her winning certificates for First Prize and the Bob Senior Award for Best Traditional Work with Mark Bagally, President of the Victorian Artists Society and Bill Caldwell, the Judge at the VAS 9x5 Awards Presentation.

On Saturday the Victorian Artists Society held the Awards Presentation for the annual VAS 9x5 Exhibition, which was attended by over 200 people, including many artists.

Mr Mark Bagally, President of the Victorian Artists Society welcomed guests and visitors and congratulated the winners and all artists who had entered the VAS 9x5 Exhibition.

The Judge, Bill Caldwell, announced the Awards and presented the Certificates to the winning artists.

Congratulations are extended to the winning artists, all Victorian Artists Society member artists, and artists from all over Victoria who participated in the VAS 9x5 Exhibition 2024.