Artist Asaki Kajima has won the $5000 Fieldays No.8 Wire National Art Award for 2020 with a Dali-inspired sculptural artwork entitled ‘Space Cow'.

'I'm very much a hands-on person and in this piece you see the hand of the maker,” saysjudge James Wright on announcing the award at Hamilton's ArtsPost.

'It's raw and simplistic, but it's heartfelt and that comes through. It's how a farmer sees the animal when it's hung, but it's also an artwork you see on three levels with the shadows it throws,” says James.

The work was selected by a blind-judging process from 28 finalists, all of which are now on display at ArtsPost in Hamilton until August 3.

James says the exhibition provides a wonderful vehicle for a genuinely New Zealand No.8 wire creative mentality.

'The ability within our artistic community to turn an agricultural supply material into a compelling creative work is impressive. Everyone who can should take the opportunity to visit this uniquely Kiwi art exhibition.”

He says he chose pieces that resonated with him, and spoke to his head and heart, but they were difficult decisions because the quality of all the artworks was very high.

Managed by Waikato Museum Te Whare Taonga o Waikato, the annual award challenges artists to create sculptures using No.8 wire and other agricultural materials.

'This award has become a focal point for artists around the country interested in taking up a special challenge to reflect part of our national ethos,” says Waikato Museum Director Cherie Meecham.

'Despite the challenges of the past few months the Award highlights the resilience and innovation of the rural community in artform,” says NZ National Fieldays Society President James Allen when presenting the awards. 'The works are a real credit to the creativity of Kiwi's even in uncertain times. It's wonderful to see the return of the event and it comes right in time for Fieldays Online.”

'We are always keen to further expand and diversify our support for the arts which is why we are building the Waikato Regional Theatre,” says Momentum Waikato CEO Kelvyn Eglinton. 'The Covid-19 crisis has prompted rural communities to look at long-term funding and impact investment strategies to improve their social resilience, so partnering with Fieldays is a great opportunity to introduce them to the opportunity we represent.

'We're really chuffed to be a part of the No.8 Wire National Art Award,” says Kelvyn.

The awards presented were:

• 2020 Fielday No.8 Wire National Art Award for $5,000: ‘Space Cow', Asaki Kajima, from Napier, Hawkes Bay.
• 2020 Runner-up award for $800: ‘Specimens', Anna Gedson, from Opotiki, Bay of Plenty.
• 2020 third place for $300: ‘Piupiu: Reflections', Jack Gower, from Taupo.

Details of the exhibition, which runs until 3 August 3, are available on the Waikato Museum website www.waikatomuseum.co.nz. All artworks in the exhibition are available for sale.