Heritage Trust awards prizes in annual painting competition

by Leah Pou

Local artist Paul Passano has won the top prize in the Gibraltar Heritage Trust 36th Annual Painting Competition.

The competition saw artists capture Witham’s Cemetery during a day-long plein air session, with the paintings currently exhibited in the GEMA Gallery in Montagu Bastion.

Mr Passano was thrilled to have won the £1,000 prize for his piece which was inspired by the “mixture between nature and man-made sculptures” on the sight.

“The longer I stayed there the more I was interested in the light and dark and how that reflects the life and death cycle,” he said.

“The longer you are there, you are reflecting on this, you are hearing the birds but also sat with the people who have passed away.”

His inspiration for the piece was also his main challenge when creating his entry.

“The challenging part was the changing light, I kind of had to predict where I thought the light was going to be when I sat down and then about three hours in is when it got to the point that I wanted it to be.”

The winners were selected by the judges Karl Ullger, Chris-Anne Alcantara, and Leslie Gaduzo.

In the Adults category (aged 18 and over), the first prize was awarded to Paul Passano, Geraldine Martinez won second prize, and Michele Stagnetto took third prize.

Highly commended mentions were presented to Thomas Maxwell, Christine McNally, and Ian Martinez.

In the Juniors category (aged 11 to 17), Stella Bosano won first prize, with Lauren Montado receiving second prize and Charlotte Seed securing third prize.

Theo Seed and Anaia Millan received highly commended certificates.

In the Children’s category (aged 7 to 10), the first prize was presented to Matylda Jacek, Camden Mifsud came in second, and Cole Mifsud was awarded third prize.

Highly commended recognitions were given to Caleb Mifsud, Eva Stych, and Rhyden Rodriguez.

The David Gladstone Prize for Most Promising Artist, which includes a £100 award and a shield, was presented to Lauren Montado.

The awards were presented by Chairman of the Gibraltar Heritage Trust Ian Balestrino and the Minister for Heritage John Cortes.

Dr Cortes thanked the Gibraltar Heritage Trust, all the volunteers and everyone who entered, congratulating them all for “keeping the competition going for all these years.”

This year, the chosen site was Witham’s Cemetery as this marks 10 years since restoration work began at the site by dedicated volunteers.

Dr Cortes spoke about the Witham Cemetery which he described as “a little oasis of greenery”.

He praised the Gibraltar Heritage Trust’s decision to choose this particular spot this year as it is “a sight that a lot of people don’t even know exists [and] a cemetery with historical value.”

All entries were painted live at the cemetery from 9am to 5pm.

All entries will be on display in the last vault in the GEMA Gallery until Friday June 13. Summer hours begin the June 9, from 10am to 3pm.