NIGEL Hewitt is attempting to win his third Mardorla Art Award.
The Darlington artist won the competition twice in the 1990s and said he tried to enter most years because the theme was different to what he usually painted.
The $20,000 Mandorla Art Award, established in 1985, has a contemporary religious theme and this year, entrants have been asked to interpret “and who is my neighbour”.
Hewitt said he had already completed a work – oil and wax on canvas – that suited the theme but would attempt another piece if he had the time.
The first prize, named the St John of God Health Care Prize, is worth $20,000.
Two highly commended artists as well as the |People’s Choice Award winners will receive $2000 each.
The winner of the St John of God Health Care Prize for Emerging Young Artists will receive $5000.
Artist and academic Dr Christopher Crouch, liturgical design expert Sr Jill O’Brien and artist Berenice Rarig will collaborate on the judging panel.
Winners will be announced on October 1 and the works will be displayed at the Moores Building in Fremantle from October 1-17.
Eight of the past winning entries will be shown at St Mary’s Cathedral this weekend between 8am and 6pm.