Indigenous Ceramic Art Award - Results 2007
Read about the winners and the judge's comments from the 2007 Award.
First Prize
Woven Armbands, 2006.
The 2007 Indigenous Ceramic Art Award first prize was awarded to Janet Fieldhouse, Woven Armbands, 2006.
Artist Statement:
The work that is created is an expression of my Torres Strait heritage; my work is an expression of material culture, rituals of social and religious life and artefacts which are created to fulfil the functional and spiritual needs of the peoples of the Torres Strait. Little things can be made big.
This artwork is looking at the way light refluxes through clay, revealing the details of how the pieces are made.
‘Woven Armbands' was made by weaving the clay. This piece is looking at the Torres Strait dance and the body decorations the dancers use. I have also been researching other objects that the Torres Strait Islander women have made by weaving.
Second Prize
Mission Days - Rubbing Salt, 2007
The 2007 Indigenous Ceramic Art Award second prize was awarded to Irene Mbitjana Entata, Mission Days - Rubbing Salt.
Artist Statement:
I was thinking back to my childhood when I was a school girl. I remember seeing ladies rubbing salt for meat every morning until 12 o'clock.
The women used to do rubbing salt at the old mission buildings near the church. I was thinking ‘what am I gonna do? ...and I remember I was maybe 10 years old and we watched those ladies rubbing salt.
I thought to myself I'll do that and so my piece was inspired by these thoughts. I spent about two weeks creating this piece and I love painting, if I could I would paint every day.
Third Prize
Wanampi, 2007
The 2007 Indigenous Ceramic Art Award third prize was awarded to Carol Anilyuru Williams, Wanampi.
Artist Statement:
I enjoy making art. It keeps my culture strong and I can tell stories through my art. It is also good fun and I enjoy it a lot. I spend a lot of time on my ceramics work.
This piece took me five days, working about three hours every day. This ceramic is called Wanampi and tells the story of my grandmother’s place – Piltardi, near Kanpi in the APY Lands, South Australia.
It is a story about two watersnakes – Wanampi, and how they trick two women. These women become their wives and live with them at Piltardi. It is a place where there is always water in the rockholes. My family and my culture inspire me to make strong art.
Victorian Award
The 2007 Indigenous Ceramic Art Award Victorian Prize was awarded to Vera Cooper, My Mother's Place on the River, 2006.
Artist Statement
I am an aboriginal woman of Yorta Yorta descent who has grown up on the Murray Ricer and I've lived there most of my life. I hold great pride in my heritage and totem the Yorta Yorta long neck turtle which is presented in much of my work. Some of the leading influences in my work have come from my mother, father and other family members. My work is often based on my life stories and also stories that have been passed down to me.
My inspiration comes from culture; it has great importance giving back some of our culture to the children who have lost it. Other inspiration comes from Indigenous artists including my two sisters, who are completing art courses.
Judges
Dr. Jennifer Isaacs AM
Stephen Gilchrist, National Gallery of Victoria
Fiona Myer
Dr. Judith Ryan, National Gallery of Victoria
