Geraldton’s Flotsam and Jetsam art exhibition award winners crowned as gallery opens for the public

The winners of the 2024 Flotsam and Jetsam art exhibition have been crowned, after the unique and creative artworks were unveiled to the public for the first time. Last weekend, the opening night of the exhibition took place, with several pieces of art created from rubbish found in and around the ocean from the Abrolhos Islands on display. There were several winners across a variety of categories, with the theme of Plantasia. According to Flotsam and Jetsam, it relates to “the enchanting realm of flora and all that live amongst it”. Verity Pearce has been creating artwork for the exhibition over the past five years, after the initial push from her husband. After receiving a highly commended award a couple of years ago, she was named the winner of the best theme award, for her piece titled You’re Un-Bee-Lievable, playing on the combination of the popular EMF song and her love of bees. Pearce said she did not expect to be an award winner. “It was actually a huge surprise, if you look at all the impressive artworks around here, I was actually surprised,” she said. “It’s pretty cool to be recognised.” Pearce’s creation depicted the beehive with bees dancing inside. The art was created from bits of rubbish, including various ropes and dried flowers. She said the majority of her items were gathered on Flotsam and Jetsam’s annual Fisherman’s Wharf collection day after the clean-up at the Abrolhos Islands. “I found I had a big bucket just full of all this rubbish and I just kept sticking it on and just sort of formed,” she said. “If you look inside, the queen bee is having a party. She’s got a disco ball and some wall hangings.” Lucy Carter, 13, who was the joint winner of the Young Flotsie Award for ages eight to 13, said her inspiration to create a gramophone came during her research of the theme. “I actually didn’t know really what Plantasia meant, so I searched it and I found out that it was an album,” she said. “All the songs in that album has frequencies to help plants grow.” Jay Willey won the recycling award, the competition’s top category, for his depiction of Dhuey’s Cottage. The art exhibition is open at Latitude Jewellers on Marine Terrace until Friday, June 7. FLOTSAM AND JETSAM 2024 WINNERS Flotsam and Jetsam Recycling Award: ‘Dhuey’s Cottage’ by Jay Willey Artist View Award: ‘Vincent’s Sunflowers’ by Stephanie Alcock Best Theme Award: ‘You’re un-bee-lievable’ by Verity Pearce Latitude Gallery Choice Award: ‘Illumnious Fungi’ by Janine Glasson Young Flotsie Award Age 4-7 Category: ‘Frankie the fantastic Fairy in her Garden’ by Frankie Nicholson Age 8-13 Category: ‘Viewers Perception’ by Tarlah and Faelan Smith and ‘Plantasia’ by Lucy Carter Age 14-17 Category: ‘John Wick’ by George McDonald Gemma Allen Memorial Award: ‘Maggies at Play in the Flower Garden’ by Elizabeth Turner Maritime Heritage Award: ‘The Way it Was’ by Paul Lucas