Cebby Johnson wins Frankston Arts Centre Open Exhibition Prize 2022
Published on 01 August 2022
Ceberio (Cebby) Johnson has won top honours in the Frankston Arts Centre Open Exhibition
Competition 2022 with his joyous photographic self-portrait titled ‘Ceb and Early’.
Frankston City Council Mayor Nathan Conroy said: “Cebby’s beautiful photograph is an absolute delight – shining with optimism and happiness.”
The Mayor added: “The Open Exhibition Competition is a major annual arts program delivered by Frankston City Council, which provides artists with the opportunity to address a chosen theme through their choice of medium.
“Whether it is a painting, sculpture, photography, video or textile – this year’s artists have explored the theme Belonging – the theme is open to broad artistic interpretation and can be approached from a personal, social or cultural perspective.
“We acknowledge and thank everyone who has been involved in the exhibition competition, including the artists and Guest Judge Suzette Wearne, who is Assistant Curator at McClelland Art Gallery + Sculpture Park, and has helped us to select this year’s winner,” Mayor Conroy said.
In selecting Cebby’s photograph, Ms Wearne said: “In a cultural landscape saturated by posed and edited selfies, this self-portrait stands out for the joy and spontaneity of its subjects—a young blind man and his dog. It captures Ceberio Johnson's remarkable fortitude and optimism.”
Cebby took the self-portrait in his garden using a remote with a cord and a tripod, adding it was difficult because his dog, Early, kept chewing the cord and knocked over the tripod.
“So I gave him a treat to make him good. He is a very beautiful dog but at one time no one wanted him and he wandered the streets … we feel happy because we are together and together we belong.”
Cebby’s prize includes an exhibition and Opening Event at Frankston Arts Centre in 2023 and a cash prize of $1000.
Mayor Conroy congratulated all the creatives and artists whose compelling artworks were accepted for the Frankston Arts Centre Open Exhibition Competition 2022 and considered for the prize.
“It is so important that we support our talented artists, at various stages of their careers, because who knows what they can achieve with a bit of support.
“Here in Frankston we have a thriving arts and culture community ready to help get your artistic feet off the ground with opportunities such as the Open Exhibition,” the Mayor said.
Artworks entered for the Open Exhibition Competition, including Cebby’s stunning photograph, are now on display at Frankston Arts Centre’s Cube 37 Gallery until Thursday 25 August.
Most of the artworks are for sale and enquiries regarding purchases can be made to Milla
Dakovic via email at milla.dakovic@frankston.vic.gov.au