• Williamstown, Altona, Laverton Star

By Alesha Capone

9th March 2010 11:05:45 AM

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PAINTER Erika Gofton’s work has been selected six times for a Williamstown art competition, but she still does not expect to win.

The Newport resident is a finalist for this year’s annual national Williamstown Contemporary Art Prize, which has a $10,000 major prize.

Despite her paintings being picked for the contest several times in the past, Ms Gofton said she did not think she would get a prize this time around.

“It’s the sixth time I’ve been selected, I think I once got a High Commended,” Ms Gofton said.

“I never, ever expect to win. I’m happy to be selected.”

Ms Gofton said the work she entered in the competition this year “looks at femininity and the traditional notions of what femininity is.”

However, when it comes to stereotypes, the 38-year-old said “being an artist is not hippy and airy-fairy, like some people think.”

Ms Gofton was taught to paint by her mother, an illustrator and graphic designer.

“It’s particularly hard work. It’s not like having a job where you get a pay packet at the end of the week. It has a lot of positives, too, but you have to be very self-disciplined,” Ms Gofton said.

She said the biggest challenge of her occupation was having confidence in what she did, as well as finding time to paint during the past five years before her son Hugo began primary school this year.

Ms Gofton is working on her next exhibition, which will be on at the Dickerson Gallery in Collingwood.

The Williamstown Contemporary Art Prize finalists will be exhibited at the Substation in Newport until 28 March.

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