 FIRST PLACE Gimme Shelter - Thea Vos, The Netherlands 31.5" x 47.25" (80 x 120cm) Mixed media - €1400 First Place: Juror notes Gimme Shelter - Thea Vos, The painter, Thea Vos ends her artist's statement with these words: "The work must always meet the criterion that it is “real”. Only then is the work completed." I really felt that as I saw this painting. It felt complete...the brushstrokes that stopped and started again give the satisfaction of storytelling. The title of this piece is taken from the song of the Rolling Stones "Gimme Shelter" Vos is showing us that very disturbing story that tells us, "War, children, it's just a shot away." I can identify with the ghosts and reality of fear looking straight at me. "Ooh, a storm is threatening My very life today If I don't get some shelter Ooh yeah, I'm gonna fade away" I found that artwork truly fascinating with its content and the way Vos treated the subject in her artistic painterly way.  |