Dawn to Dusk the People’s Choice
Courtney with her People’s Choice award winning artwork titled ‘Dawn to Dusk’ Photo by Margaret Bertling
She says she never intended to win, but Courtney Bertling has taken home the prize for winning the People’s Choice category in the 20x20x20 exhibition.
The exhibition was run as part of the Cossack Art Award 20th Anniversary public program, where 20 pieces from 20 artists were selected for the exhibition and featured for 20 days at the Karratha Visitor Centre.
Courtney, 22-years-old, said winning the award for her photograph titled Dawn to Dusk came as a surprise.
“I was shocked. I put my piece in never expecting to win,” she said.
“For me it was more of a personal thing.
“Around that time I was going through a hard time emotionally and felt like I never had anytime for myself.
“The exhibition came up and I thought it was a perfect opportunity to spend some time with myself doing something I love.”
Courtney had the idea of planting work boots in front of a landscape representing the Pilbara for about one year before she found the perfect time to execute her idea.
She took the winning shot one week before the 20x20x20 competition closed.
“I went out for seven days trying to get the right sunset and submitted it half an hour before the competition closed,” she said.
“So many people have said that I’m really talented, and I guess I need to spend more time on myself to get that talent out.”
Winning the award is only the beginning for Courtney, who said the competition has sparked a new happiness and opened business opportunities.
Karratha Visitors Centre have offered to run a limited edition of the print so people can buy a signed copy of the photograph.
“If it wasn’t for the exhibition coming up I don’t think I would have taken the chance to do something for myself,” Courtney said.
“I’m more open to pleasing myself from now on.”
Tags: Echo, entertainment, Karratha, Pilbara, pilbaranews
