Vibrant palette of Pilbara art at Cossack

Three esteemed art professionals are set to descend on the historic town of Cossack to judge the annual prestigious art competition this month.

Visual arts educator Joel Wilson, FORM Contemporary Craft and Design curator Sharmila Wood and The Junction Co. artistic excellence program leader Elisa Trifunoski will be the judges for the 2020 Cossack Art Awards.

Ms Wood said she was looking forward to judging the diverse range of artworks.

“I think it is such a unique regional art award,” she said.

“I have been to it before having worked up in the Pilbara previously so I was excited to be asked.

“I think it is such an atmospheric, beautiful place Cossack and it is such an interesting background for the artwork. It is really interesting to see the various types of artwork and artists that submit work ... I am really looking forward to going back.”

Despite uncertainty earlier this year surrounding whether the awards could go ahead due to COVID-19, the gallery is due to officially open to the public at 10am on Sunday and will be open daily until August 9.

Ms Trifunoski said the awards should be interesting this year following COVID-19 changes.

“It will be interesting to see the entries that have come through to Cossack given that they are only from the Pilbara and also that there is 150 of them,” she said.

“I feel like it is an exciting time to see artists come out of the woodwork and see who is lurking this year in the corners of the Pilbara that we haven’t picked up on before.”