Yesterday afternoon Lucy Maddox, President of the Victorian Artists Society officially opened the VAS Maritime Exhibition and presented awards to the winning artists.

The VAS Maritime Exhibition Awards included the Exhibition Winner and three Highly Commended Awards. The Thomas Somerscales Trophy was announced for the winner It Hao Pheh VAS.

The VAS Maritime Exhibition features seventy-three artworks including tall ships, peaceful beach scenes and the ever-changing moods of the ocean.

Thomas Jacques Somerscales (born in Sculcoates, Yorkshire on 29 October 1842; died in Sculcoates, Yorkshire on 27 June 1927) was an English teacher, sailor, and landscape and marine painter. He is also considered a Chilean painter as he began his career as an artist there. Many of his landscapes evoke the region and many of his marine paintings feature notable events in Chilean naval history and have become patriotic national icons in that country.

It Hao Pheh VAS

'Resting at the Entrance'

Catalogue #40

"An exceptional work that contains many watercolour elements. From hard and soft edges to spatters and blooms, the work is bold and striking and showcases the talent of the artist and his use of the medium."

Mark Bagally FVAS

Anne Melloy VAS

'Wind and Salt'

Catalogue #51

"A very nice balance of soft and hard edges and great sense of movement in the water."

Mark Bagally FVAS

Charli English

'Porthole'

Catalogue #72

"The work fits the theme of the show perfectly. The water is nicely rendered and gives a feeling of a brooding atmosphere to the work." 

Mark Bagally FVAS