AN explosive-detecting border collie and her soldier handler were the subjects of an artwork that was hailed a winner by both judges and audiences at the Quota International of Jimboomba art show.
The work, called Bessie and Dane, was rendered in pencil, water colours and near photographic detail by Carla Benzie, an artist, tattooist and jewellery maker from Stockleigh. It won both judges and people’s choice awards.
Soldier and pup sat for the portrait at Enoggera’s Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane. Bessie, a police dog who was trained as bomb sniffing dog, has since retired from her work. She now lives with Dane as a family pet.
Ms Benzie completed the work over four days while she was flooded in last year and submitted it – with less success – to the national Archibald Prize for portraiture.
“It means a lot to me to have it hanging here and see the interest it has attracted,” said Ms Benzie.
It is one of a series of portraits that will feature in Ms Benzie’s upcoming exhibition at Tank Ride, Mount Tamborine, on August 18. It will raise funds for soldiers suffering from PTSD.
The Quota Jimboomba Art Show, which turned 16 this year, is one of the region’s favourite fundraisers.
Artists – professional and amateur and of all ages and abilities – enter across categories that include traditional, modern, three dimensional, student, textiles and handicrafts, photography, student photography and all-abilities art. The only proviso is that all works are for sale with the proceeds to go to charity.
Past beneficiaries of Quota Jimboomba arts shows include Hummingbird House, the Leukaemia Foundation, Blue Care, chaplaincy services, local families in need, the Cancer Council of Queensland, the Brain Foundation, Hear and Say Centre for cochlea ear training and Rural Lifestyle Options Association.
Co-ordinator Brenda Fielding said the show exhibited 350 artworks by more than 100 artists. Hundreds more dropped in to see the works on show at Jimboomba Community Hall on Friday night, Saturday and Sunday, June 15-17.
Works were judged by Queensland Art Gallery assistant director Simon Wright, potter Isabel Warman, photographer Kerry Bergman and textile specialist Margaret Newman.
