Top student talent awarded ArtRage Medallion

Image: QVMAG Arts Foundation Chair Brian Hartnett, 2024 Medallion recipient Tegan Mateman and City of Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood. 

Today, the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery will celebrate the recipient of the 2023/24 ArtRage medallion.

Currently touring galleries statewide, ArtRage features more than 100 student works from high schools and colleges across Tasmania.

Now in its 29th year, ArtRage is an annual initiative of QVMAG to showcase the year's top selection of budding Tasmanian artists in years 11 and 12 studying Art Production or Art Studio Practice as part of their Tasmanian Certificate of Education (TCE).

In 2020 the QVMAG Arts Foundation, developed a new award to acknowledge emerging student artists who significantly contribute to the fine arts in Tasmania.

Each year, one student is chosen by the exhibition curator to be awarded a medallion, featuring a limited-edition artwork, donated by Tasmanian artist Michael McWilliams.

In 2023/24, the Medallion was awarded to student Tegan Mateman from Don College, Hobart for their work titled, Waddamana (2023).

"Waddamana, meaning ‘noisy water’ in the language of the Tasmanian Aboriginals, was one of Tasmania’s first power stations and a town I photographed," Mateman said.

"The village is currently in a state of disrepair, abandoned after the closure of the power station. I have used my photographs as source images for this triptych of paintings illustrating the abandoned home, industry, and belongings left inside the homes by the workers.

"It’s an insight into a time gone past where life was different to today."

City of Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said it was awesome to see such a diverse and talented student work take out the 2023/24 medallion.

"The ArtRage medallion creates an important opportunity each year for emerging student artists and it's just great to see Tegan awarded for their work featured in the 2023/24 exhibition," Mayor Garwood said.

"ArtRage plays such a key role in the development of artists studying art in years 11 and 12 statewide and provides an outstanding platform to showcase their works to audiences both local and those travelling our great island.”

Issued 17 April 2024.