Warrnambool artist Matthew Clarke finalist in two competitive art competitions in Bendigo and Swan Hill

Clarke was recently named a finalist in the Paul Guest Prize at the Bendigo Art Gallery and a finalist in the Swan Hill Drawing Awards.

He was one of 56 finalists to be selected in the Swan Hill awards with his piece entitled 'Wallaby Town Dreaming'. Although he didn't win the prize of $14,000, Clarke was stoked to be apart of the competition which is now showing through the gallery's website.

"It's still very exciting," he said. "Swan Hill is a premier gallery in Australia."

Clark drew 'Wallaby Town Dreaming' with pen on paper and in his submission he said "I am proud to show that having a disability is not a barrier for creating great drawings."

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Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, Clarke has been keeping busy creating new pieces and exhibiting his work at Fox Galleries in Collingwood.

He was also chosen as one of 101 artists across the state to design and complete a mythical Uoo Uoo creature for the Royal Children's Hospital 150^th anniversary.

But the artist admits the pandemic has presented a series of challenges in the arts sector.

"Most of my stuff has been cancelled in COVID so I was lucky to get into the two prizes this year," he said.

"Everything is very competitive as there's not much on offer. It's really good to make it as a finalist in the two competitions."

Clarke is also a finalist in Bendigo Art Gallery's Paul Guest Drawing Prize with his self portrait in the shower.

The Paul Guest Prize is an award and exhibition held biennially highlighting contemporary drawing practice in Australia. This year there were over 400 applicants in the Paul Guest prize with only 42 finalists selected.

The prize of $15,000 will be announced on October 16 and the exhibition featuring all finalists will be on display from October 17 via the Bendigo Art gallery website.

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