Burgers and art a win-win in the first Greasybalds art prize
There was a cake, there was cross-stitch, there was music, there was digital art, there were paintings.
The winners of the inaugural Greasybalds art prize were announced at Grease Monkey in Braddon on Thursday and the 127 entries ran the gamut of artistic endeavour.
Each entry had to be inspired by the Grease Monkey brand, with the winner being Canberra animator Liam Pope, a graduate of the Academy of Interactive Entertainment, who now works for Wildbear entertainment.
Canberra animator Liam Pope at Grease Monkey in Braddon on Thursday after being announced the inaugural winner of the Greasybalds. Picture by Keegan Carroll
His 30-second animation Cheers! was “a celebration of celebrations”, inspired by “Australia’s favourite pastime, good bevs with good people”.
The 24-year-old was emotional as he was announced the winner by Arts Minister Tara Cheyne, receiving the $3000 first prize, which he planned to put towards an online course to further his skills – and shout his mates a few beers as well.
Michael Steele’s amazing cake featuring Grease Monkey food was the runner-up in the Greasybalds. Picture supplied
“Honestly, I was thinking about how I would be able to speak without cracking up,” he said.
Liam, who lives in Gungahlin, counts Grease Monkey as his local.
“It’s my mum’s favourite too,” he said.
Grease Monkey owner Nick Tuckwell loved the idea of the art competition to unearth Canberra talent and further engage his homegrown business with the community.
Martin Vant was the minor prize winner with his entry showing Grease Monkey food mashed up with Canberra icons. Picture supplied
Mr Tuckwell said COVID had made the past two to three years very difficult for hospitality, but Grease Monkey had survived thanks to the loyalty of its customers.
He, like the judges, was blown away by the quality and number of the artworks.
“It was so difficult to choose,” he said.
At the Greasybalds announcement (l-r) Grease Monkey owner Nick Tuckwell, Martin Vant (minor prize winner), Nathan Garrard (highly commended), Michael Steele (runner-up), Danielle O’Reilly (highly commended), Liam Pope (winner), Arts Minister Tara Cheyne, artist and judge James Manning and The Canberra Times food critic and judge Chris Hansen. Picture by Keegan Carroll
The minor prize winner was Martin Vant, who received $1500 for his digitally-drawn artwork, a “melting pot of the food and drinks from Grease Monkey” with Canberra icons, from a bus shelter to Braddon roundabout thrown in.
Runner-up was a cake made by Michael Steele, who received a $750 Grease Monkey voucher.
The 42-year-old youth worker spent three days making the cake which featured a burger, hot dog, chips and chicken wings.
Danielle O’Reilly’s work – printed papers including Grease Monkey menus, charcoal and oil paint – was highly commended. Picture supplied
Highly commended were Danielle O’Reilly for her mixed media work and Nathan Garrard for his digital artwork. They also received vouchers.
The other judges were local artist James Manning and The Canberra Times food critic Chris Hansen.
Tara Cheyne said the government was happy to support events such as the Greasybalds which celebrated local artists in innovative ways.
“The calibre was out of this world,” she said.
Nathan Garrard’s highly commended artwork had a touch of the King Kongs about it. Picture supplied