ARTIST Pierre Capponi won best in the show at this year's Northam Art Prize, officially launched last Friday evening at the Northam Lesser Hall by Paul Brown MLC.
Capponi said his artworks told many stories.
"This particular piece, titled The Keeper, shows we all are as individual responsible for what direction the planet takes," he said.
"No matter what cast, faith, or wealth we have we can all contribute."
The Keeper depicts a man wearing a gas mask, holding a briefcase full of papers and a cane, given he is blind.
Mr Capponi spent three weeks on his winning entry, made of pressed tin.
He made it at his Toodyay home with the tin sourced from a Northam ceiling.
"This win confirms I am doing the right thing," he said.
"I am leaving next month to start a three-month art residency in Patan, a town outside Kathmandu in Nepal."
Capponi has also been busy carving approximately 31 tons of granite which will be located within the Shire of Northam, with the location of the display to be revealed later in the year.
In the other categories, best local artist went to Graeme Butler.
The Water Corporation theme winner was Pearl Rogers.
Jo Millington took out the oil and acyclic category.
Robert McCaffrey won works on paper and the Indigenous section winner was Kirk Garlett.
Lyn Renton claimed the photography award with T Brian Alyward taking the pastels category.
Textiles and fibre was won by Carole Anne Wescombe.
Murray Ford won in sculptures and Lyn Howieson claimed the rural art prize.
Commendations went to Sharon Ellis, Martin Carter, Angie Roe, Meckering Primary School, Avonvale Primary School and Avon Youth.
Avon Valley Arts Society president Joy Smith said the launch was a triumphant event.
"Next year we may have to include the Northam Town Hall as a venue," she said.
"The entries were of a high standard with 117 entries in the art prize itself and 60 plus in the youth section.
"On behalf of AVAS I would like to thank all the entrants, our sponsors, judges Steve Castledine and Sophie Davidson, and the local community for supporting the event."
This year, young people were asked to complete artworks on the theme of road safety.
Isabelle Smith won the category with her piece Buckle Up, along with Avonvale Primary School for their collection of works.
Road safety advisor Cliff Simpson assisted AVAS with the project.
Northam Shire president Steven Pollard said the art prize demonstrated the great talent of the Wheatbelt and he congratulated AVAS for putting it on for the past 30 years.
The artworks will be open to the general public with a gold coin donation until August 17.
A youth exhibition is on the drawing board for next year.
q Social photos from the launch are on page 10.
