Local exhibition full of fakes

The attention of much of the Central Coast’s art community is set to focus on Wyong Shire for an exhibition with a difference.

The 11th annual Fabulous Fakes art exhibition - whose sponsors include Wyong Shire Council - will display more than 170 copies of masterpieces, including Van Gogh’s ‘Irises’; ‘Women Bathing’ by Rembrandt; and Monet’s ‘Water Lillies’

To be staged by the Tuggerah Lakes Art Society Inc. at the Diggers club in The Entrance from October 23 – 25, the exhibition will carry more than $3,500 in cash prizes and art supplies.

All entries will be for sale, with prices starting at $100. A percentage of money raised will be donated to charity.

The practice of copying artistic masterpieces is considered a virtual right of passage for student artists and a valuable skill for establish painters. Entries are not accepted into the Fabulous Fakes exhibition unless the original creator has been dead for more than 50 years.

Old masters whose work will feature in the exhibition include Renior, Rubens, Rembrandt, Degas, Monet, Streeton, Gaugin and Cezanne.

Well known local artist, Dr. Peter Smeeth, will be the feature artist for this year’s exhibition and many of his works will be available for inspection and purchase.

As well as the normal prizes, members of the public will be asked to vote for the ‘People’s Choice Award’

The official opening and presentation of awards to the exhibition’s winners will take place at the Diggers club from 7.30pm on Friday, October 23.

Paintings can be viewed until 9pm that night; from 10am to 9pm on Saturday, October 24 and between 10am and 4pm on Sunday, October 25.

For additional information about the exhibition, contact publicity officer, Allen Hannah, on (02) 4384 1622.

Media contact: Ian Roberts (02) 4350 5525 or 0408 967 236

Page last updated: 21/10/09