Shepparton Art Gallery

2007 Indigenous Ceramic Art Award

Janet Fieldhouse has won the inaugural Indigenous Ceramic Art Award, announced on Friday 14 December 2007 at the Shepparton Art Gallery.

Her winning work, Woven Armbands was described by judges as a delicate and beautiful translation of a “traditional woven form into another medium which was inspirational, accomplished and inventive. The work operated as an installation of unexpected delicacy and precision”.

Second prize was awarded to Irene Mbitjana Entata for Mission Days – Rubbing Salt. The judges appreciated the compact, rounded form of the hand built terracotta pot and its integrated tightly-worked surface images of Aranda women rubbing salt.

Third prize was awarded to Carol Anilyuru Williams for Wanampi. The judges were taken by the vessel's commanding presence and scale. The terracotta and ivory palette were well combined to produce a work of cultural and aesthetic power. The Victorian Prize was award to Vera cooper for her work My Mother’s Country.

The total prize money for this national biennale acquisitive award is $33,000.00. The first prize is $15,000; second prize is $10,000; the third prize is $5,000; and the Award for Victorian ceramicists is $3,000.

The award recognises and celebrates the rich and diverse use of the ceramic medium by Indigenous artists across Australia.

Shortlisted artists included: Vera Cooper (VIC); Janet May Fieldhouse (Torres Strait); Brian Firebrace (VIC); Amunda Gorey (NT); John Kelantumama (NT); Cyril Kerinauia (Tiwi Islands NT); Mark Puautjimi (Tiwi Islands, NT); Irene Mbitjana Entata (NT); Danie Mellor (ACT); Jennifer Mullett (VIC); Jock Puautjimi (Tiwi Islands NT); Judith Pungkarta Inkamala (NT); Robert Edward Puruntatameri (Tiwi Islands NT); William Quall (NT); Adam Ridgeway (NSW); Gloria Fletcher Thanakupi (Qld); Bevan Thompson (WA); Margaret Kemarre Turner (NT); Veronica Turner (NT); Carol Williams and Hudson Alison (Ernabella SA); Tjimpuna Williams (Ernabella SA); and Ngunytjima Carroll (Ernabella SA).

The judging panel included: Dr. Jennifer Isaacs AM, Stephen Gilchrist, National Gallery of Victoria, Fiona Myer, and Dr. Judith Ryan, National Gallery of Victoria.

The 2007 INDIGENOUS CERAMIC ART AWARD was developed by Shepparton Art Gallery to support Indigenous ceramic artists and acknowledge the special industry of ceramic art practise. The awards encourage and stimulate excellence in this sphere, providing cultural exchange opportunities for Indigenous artists from around Australia and regional Victoria. This biennale award exhibition will survey current Indigenous ceramic art practise, demonstrating current developments in the field including contemporary and traditional works.

An exciting public program of cultural activities also accompanies the exhibition and includes: ceramic workshops with artists, exhibition floor talks, ceramic workshops for children, and ceramic workshops for Indigenous men and women.

Shepparton Art Gallery is a regional gallery with a unique focus. It collects Australian ceramics from the 19th and 20th century and its ceramic collection is one of the best in Australia.

Shepparton Art Gallery's collection of Australian and International ceramics now spans over 3000 works. The gallery's permanent exhibition highlights the development of this art form, from the first kilns built in Australia through to contemporary art from around the world.

The Indigenous Ceramic Art Award is made possible with the generous support of The Sir Andrew and Lady Fairley Foundation, Margaret Lawrence Bequest, FRRR and the Sarah and Ballieu Myer Foundation.

The Indigenous Ceramic Art Award exhibition opens 14 December and runs until 24 February at the Shepparton Art Gallery, Eastbank Centre, 70 Welsford Street, Shepparton. Opening hours: Monday – Sunday, 10am – 4pm, public holidays, 1pm – 4pm. Closed for Christmas from 22 December and reopening on Wednesday 2 January 2008. Entry free. Tel: 03 5832 9861.

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