Local Hornsby resident and NSI student Douglas Cham has won the 2011 Hornsby Art Prize Sculpture Award for his art work.
The 2011 Hornsby Art Prize exhibition featured more than 200 outstanding works of art, including sculpture works, drawing, painting and print making.
His winning artwork ‘Banana Kids’, comprised of two separate sculptures ‘The listener’ and the ‘Sleeper’ reflect Chinese Australians experience and life within contemporary Australian society.
“The term Banana Kids refers to Chinese-Australian children in Australia, on the outside while they may look Chinese, on the inside they are very much Australian.
"They are both a mix of Australian and Chinese cultures.”
A former photographer, Douglas has been focusing on sculptures since 2006. Douglas recently enrolled in the Open Studio Practice - TAFE PLUS Statement at TAFE NSW –Northern Sydney Institute’s Hornsby College.
Douglas said he is happy to receive the award, and hopes his sculptures will continue to communicate a powerful message to viewers.
“I’ve always been very artistic, but working with sculpture is a way I can communicate with others and reflect on our society.”