Indigenous Ceramic Art Award - Results 2009
Read about the winners and the judge's comments from the 2009 Award.
First Prize
Materially cultured (an allegorical scene of a bastard history), 2008
The 2009 Indigenous Ceramic Art Award first prize was awarded to Danie Mellor, Materially cultured (an allegorical scene of a bastard history), 2008.
Artist Statement:
Materially Cultured (an allegorical scene of a bastard history) talks about the commodification of Aboriginal art and culture, questions the legitimacy of the historical. A bicornial basket (bala wular), which was made by men and women in the rainforests of northern Queensland from lawyer cane, holds a feast of witchetty grubs (jambun), and rests on a display of boomerangs and stone axe heads (yuralbarra and barri). Perched on the basket is a cockatoo (gayambula) - this is my grandmother's totem, and the totem of the Mamu and Jirrbal language groups. Sitting inside the basket is also a glass bead encrusted skull, and attached to the outer skin of the basket is an illuminated dollar sign. These last two elements speak of human presence and disembodiment of groups of people, and the sacrifice and cost of colonial expansion, and the treasure and rewards that were reaped by the dominant culture.
Aboriginal culture was recently commodified in specific ways following Australia's colonization. Material culture entered the theatre of the museum; it became a currency of sorts against which Aboriginal people were measured and classified, it was ascribed ‘value', a value linked with science, social theory and money. In this work, the basket, besides being an important object in Aboriginal culture generally, is analogous with the experience of the cultural activity of shopping and the virtual ‘basket' used for purchases on the internet - it is a ‘collection' piece, the ultimate purchasing tool. The cockatoo, although it is a taxidermy piece and linked with the museological, indicates the presence of nature, and symbolizes the holistic and integrated qualities of Aboriginal culture.
Second Prize
Palm Valley Muster, 2008
The 2009 Indigenous Ceramic Art Award second prize was awarded to Rona Rubuntja, Palm Valley Muster, 2008.
Artist Statement:
I like to feel the clay in my hands like the earth, nice and soft. I had a good idea to make this large pot and paint my story on it. My father Norman Rattera and my uncle Wenton Rubuntja taught me how to paint. I watched them painting water color when I was a little girl. My uncles and fathers would muster cattle and bring them to Palm Valley Paddock. My father taught me how to ride horses; I used to make damper for him so when he finished mustering he could eat good tucker. I made this pot real big so I could make a big story on it and everyone could see the cattle, mountains and my family riding the horse.
Third Prize
Armband, 2008
The 2009 Indigenous Ceramic Art Award third prize was awarded to Janet Fieldhouse, Armband, 2008.
Artist Statement:
My work is an expression of my Torres Strait Islander heritage: the material culture, rituals of social and religious life, and artefacts which are created to fulfill the functional and spiritual needs of the peoples of the Torres Strait.
I use natural organic products, such as clay and porcelain, imbued with ideas from my individual journey, interaction with family and my life stories about my culture. Each of these pieces is made of porcelain (Keraflex), and takes time to create from weaving and then firing. The work that represents me is concerned with looking at the way that light reflects through the pieces, allowing you to see the details of how each piece is made.
Armband has been inspired by the Torres Strait dance and what the dancers used to decorate themselves.
This piece reflects functional and religious elements of the Torres Strait culture.
I would like the viewers to explore the Torres Strait Islander culture through my art and recognise the significance of Torres Strait Islander art. I demonstrate all this through my individual art pieces that tell a different story about my culture.
Victorian Award
Our world is a Midden, Holding the Past, Present and Future, 2008
The 2009 Indigenous Ceramic Art Award Victorian Prize was awarded to Vera Cooper, Our world is a Midden, Holding the Past, Present and Future, 2008.
Artist Statement:
Holding onto our places of sacred sites in our Environment walking and standing with cultures past
Our middens link us with our ancestors.
Our world is a midden.
Like the night sky and stars, the souls and spirit of our ancestors look down on us to protect us.
Special Commendation
Know where you come from, know where you are, know where you are going, 2008
The 2009 Indigenous Ceramic Art Award Special Commendation was awarded to Adam Ridgeway, Know where you come from, know where you are, know where you are going, 2008.
Artist Statement:
This year I have been able to question how I feel that I can identify as a contemporary indigenous artist when I still feel alien to aspects of Aboriginal culture. Is this now apart of being a contemporary Indigenous artist? I was not brought up in such environments like my dad or my grandfather and yet I still feel an attachment to Aboriginal culture and that it is an integral part in the construction of my personal identity. What role does a culture I have known in such a different sense to that of my relatives play through in my work?
In Know Where You Come From, Know Where You Are, See Where You Are Going, I explore the journey that I have been on ever since I became aware of my Aboriginal heritage. Each small carving snakes up each individual tile and when all the tiles are joined together it creates another larger Journey. As a contemporary Indigenous artist I feel that my work will always be attempting to locate a space for myself within an Indigenous and non-Indigenous Art context.
This combination of cultural selection and ambiguity has led me to explore the role that memory plays in building individual identity, as oral stories were significant in handing on Aboriginal law, religion and customs. Memories appear fundamental to personal and cultural identity but I am an example of the gap between two cultures, I have become the space in which identity can fluctuate. My memories are constructed through talking first hand stories from my grandfather; these stories are taken in and reconstructed to form new hi-stories.
Judge
The 2009 Indigenous Ceramic Art Award Judge was acclaimed indigenous artist and academic Dr Julie Gough.
