Hongli Li wins Frankston Arts Centre Open Exhibition Prize 2024

Published on 30 August 2024

Congratulations to Frankston City local Hongli Li for winning the Frankston Arts Centre Open Exhibition Prize 2024.

A huge crowd packed the Cube 37 venue to see Hongli announced as this year’s winner.

McClelland Art Gallery + Sculpture Park Curator Suzette Wearne, who acted as judge for this year’s Open Exhibition Prize, noted Hongli’s watercolour featuring a section of a poplar trunk was “startling in its detail and evocative power”.

“The artist's unconventional composition is bold and compelling. Hongli's mastery of watercolour is plain to see and an exhibition of several of his works will be a magical experience for visitors to the Frankston Art Centre,” she said.

Manager Arts and Culture, Tammy Ryan, said the Arts Centre is committed to fostering a thriving arts and culture community to help artists get their feet off the ground with opportunities such as the Open Exhibition.

Hongli thanked his family for their support, adding: “I am very lucky – thank you so much.”

His prize includes $1000 and the opportunity to have his work displayed in a solo exhibition and opening event in one of Frankston Arts Centre’s gallery spaces in 2025.

This major annual arts program delivered by Council provides artists with the opportunity to address a chosen theme through their choice of medium. This year’s artists tackled the theme Exploring the Wonder of the Natural World and Our Human Connection to Nature. Over 90 entries from Victorian, mainly Frankston City and Mornington Peninsula artists, were entered showcasing a stunning breadth of talent including paintings, drawings, photography, video, sculpture and textile art.

Check out the entries on exhibition at the Cube 37 Gallery and cast a vote for your favourite artwork in person during gallery hours. One vote per visitor. The winning artist will be awarded the People’s Choice Prize and receive a double pass to a Frankston Arts Centre Season Show.