ARTIST SELECTED FINALIST IN PARAMOR PRIZE

South West Advertiser
February 4, 2015 Wednesday

by Kirstie Chlopicki

A circuit board taken from a disassembled computer served as the
foundation for an art work submitted by Gary Deirmendjian for this
year’s Paramor Prize.

The Armenian artist, who is visiting his family home in Bonnyrigg,
has been chosen as one of 40 finalists whose work is displayed at
the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre for the inaugural exhibition.

Mr Deirmendjian said that he was working at a merchant bank when he
was inspired by the circuit board that would become his futuristic
artwork METROPOLIS NEW – The savage loses heart.

“These circuit boards as I was pulling them out just sort of connected
with me; they looked like a town plan, they hinted at regularity and
containment,” he said.

“It’s like a model of a future city.

“There’s this notion of futurism and what the future may hold.”

Mr Deirmendjian teaches at the National Arts School, Darlinghurst,
and said he aimed for his work to be socially critical and question
where we were as a society, where we are going and what we are
leaving behind.

“You communicate through your work,” he said.

“I’m a maker, so I make what I feel.

“I’m very dubious about this notion of progress.”

Although he feels strongly about the message of work, Mr Deirmendjian
hopes viewers will take away their own meaning.

“You’re planting seeds.

“The aim of many works is to help the viewer see themselves, to go
away with a part of yourself.

“All I can do is put what I understand in front of them.”

Powerhouse curator Adam Porter said the artists were selected from
a shortlist and they each showed excellence in art.

The theme of the exhibition is innovation and the prize was named
after local artist Wendy Paramor, in memory of the 40th anniversary
of her death.

Artist Erica Seccombe received the $20,000 top prize for her work
Virtual Life at the exhibition opening on the weekend, while Susanna
Strati received the $5000 mayoral award for her work Wreath #2.

Visitors to the exhibition can vote for their favourite art work to
determine the winner of the $1000 People’s Choice Award, which will
be announced on March 15.