"There's so much magic everywhere I look."
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
So said the guest judge of this year's Plethora of Postcards exhibition, Alexandra Seddon, at Friday evening's launch event.
More than 500 entries were accepted into Spiral Gallery's annual exhibition.
The variety of colour, subject, and artistic merit on display had the gallery filled with joy as visitors perused the walls and winners were announced.
![Plethora of Postcards guest judge Alexandra Seddon congratulates Gabrielle Powell for her winning artwork, "Where have all the bandicoots gone?" Picture by Ben Smyth Plethora of Postcards guest judge Alexandra Seddon congratulates Gabrielle Powell for her winning artwork, "Where have all the bandicoots gone?" Picture by Ben Smyth](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/38KKizhZLpuTDCkJAjRb34b/a3f5218c-946e-4677-8467-44a71bc77ea6.JPG/r0_242_4032_2509_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
It's what makes this exhibition so incredibly popular, year after year - how accessible it is to everyone, not just established artists.
Ms Seddon said she "didn't know where to start" when asked to select winners across several categories.
"There's so much beauty and so much magic here - I love it," she said as she circled the room pointing out some of the postcard-sized artworks that spoke to her the most.
![Rebecca Williamson and her prize-winning 3D postcard art, "Friday night with the family". Picture by Ben Smyth Rebecca Williamson and her prize-winning 3D postcard art, "Friday night with the family". Picture by Ben Smyth](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/38KKizhZLpuTDCkJAjRb34b/0886f0b1-79fd-46a0-bc99-c95fffb6af0d.jpg/r0_0_4032_3024_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
"I love the originality, the mystery.
"It's hard to know where to begin - there's magic everywhere I look.
"[But] you can see my prejudice," she added when highlighting another of the many that featured animals.
As well as prizes for adults, youth and junior, there were also awards for entries that used the theme for 2024 "At Home", and one for works that expanded into three dimensions.
Winners included:
Adult - Gabrielle Powell 1st, Anthea Moffatt 2nd; Joanne Stoddard (At Home)
Youth - Riley Kiss 1st, Tully McGuiness 2nd; Isabella Shipton (At Home); Meredith Cole (Emerging Artist)
Junior - Ava Gunther 1st, Peggy-Joy Spears 2nd; Rachael (At Home)
3-dimensional - Rebecca Williamson