The Victorian Minister for Creative Industries, the Hon Martin Foley MP announced the winning artist last night at Kirra Galleries as a highlight of Fed Square's The Light in Winter program.

Peter Kolliner OAM, Gallery Director of Kirra Galleries said, "This year's KIGA exhibition continues to display the world class standard of established and emerging glass artists.

The judges for KIGA 2015 were Robyn Archer AO, Grace Cochrane AM, Simon Warrender, Jane Sydenham-Clarke and Peter Kolliner OAM, The exhibition showcases 42 finalists from more than 80 entries received from across Australia and New Zealand.

Left: The Hon. Martin Foley MP, Minister for Creative Industries with Richard Morrell,
 Winner of the 2015 KIGA Award, with his work titled Bowl of Enlightenment.

A second award of AU$3,000 for the most innovative entry was won by Grampians glass artist, James McMurtrie.

In its second year, KIGA, is the major private award for glass artists in Australia and was won last year by New South Wales artist, Robert Wynne.

"In Australia, we are fortunate to have an established group of world class glass artists and an emerging pool of new talented artists," Mr Kolliner said.

"Kirra Galleries was the first commercial tenant to open in Fed Square, and represents over one hundred and forty Australian Glass Artists. The Gallery has been a centre of excellence for Glass Art for the past twelve years in its current location".

Click here to view the Catalogue of Works

Media Enquiries:
Ron Smith, Media Communications, Fed Square - Mobile: 0417 329 201