Arts
23 February, 2026
Stroke of genius: Sarah brushes with inspiration
THE PATTERN from a porcelain jug and inspiration from a couture costume jeweller have seen Sarah Wallace-Smith claim her second Pyramid Hill Major’s Vision Art Show top prize.
The Jarklin artist’s work Born to Be - Irascible - was crowned best in show from more than 380 other entries on Friday night.
Irascible is one of four in Sarah’s Born to Be series. The others are Respected, Anything She Damned Well Wants and Inquisitive.
Sarah said the Melbourne jeweller and friend Angela Clark was “the most inspirational woman I know”.
“And she encourages other women to do great things. Angela has a porcelain jug ... it’s one of her most prized possessions.”
Sarah was among more than 100 people to attend Friday night’s official show opening by Loddon Mayor Dan Straub.
She says: “Utilising watercolour, I enjoy both attention to detail and a simple joy of letting the water dance in puddles of pigment.
“With the distinctive blue and white patterning on this porcelain-like face of my daughter, I have been contemplating women as the original vessel and the consequences of being able to carry life.
“The patterning is my way of thinking through inherent knowledge, shared and passed down generations of women over a cuppa.”
Sarah’s depiction of Dy Dy the cat about to leap from a flower bed took out the show’s major award in 2024.
Sarah, who grew up on a Riverina farm now lives on the family farm at Jarklin with husband Chris.
Newbridge artist Teresa Sesmaa took out the award for the best local artist while Wedderburn’s David Milne was judged best in the people and portraits section.
The young artist award was given to Barham’s Sarah Polkinghorne.
Judge Terry Tully said the show had presented an eclectic collection of art work displaying obvious passion and energy.
“And that patience is incredible,” he said. “Getting (paintings) to a points where they are in the show.
RESULTS
Best in show: Sarah Wallace- Smith - Born to be Irascible.
Bird and animals: Eleni Rivers: Lyre Bird. Landscape: Rhonda Willoughby - Beautiful New Zealand. People and portraits: David Milne - Sally. Indigenous art: Emma Holland - The Meeting Place. Still life and flowers: Julie Scullie - Morning Light. Best small painting: Che Munzel - World’s End 1. All roads lead to the hill: Jude Barowski - Landscape to the Hill. Local artist: Teresa Seismaa - Old Girl. Young artist: Sarah Polkinghorne - Last Embrace.
Highly commended: Rebecca Hall. Maris Carmody, Michelle Hazelton, Alicia Thomas.
Read More: Jarklin, Pyramid Hill