National Parks calls for entries for Aboriginal art award
The call has gone out for Aboriginal artists in the Ballina Shire area to enter this year’s National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Northern Rivers Region Aboriginal Art Award.
The award will be held in collaboration with the Grafton Regional Gallery, 158 Fitzroy Street, Grafton from the 4 July to 12 August 2007. The official opening will be held on Wednesday 11 July from 10am to 12 noon.
NPWS Regional Manager Mark Johnston said: “Aboriginal artists residing and/or associated with the Northern Rivers region are invited to submit works exploring the theme Past - Present - Future.
“The art competition aims to raise community awareness of Indigenous artists and culture in the region and provides a locally based opportunity for Aboriginal artists to exhibit work.
“NPWS works closely with Aboriginal people across the Northern Rivers. The Art Award is an important vehicle for building strong links with the Indigenous community.
“The new partnership with the regional galleries has been successful in raising the profile of the annual Art Award. Next year the exhibition will be held at Tweed Regional Gallery.”
This will be the sixth time the Art Award has been held. Last year the competition received around 100 entries and first prize went to Karla Dickens for her painting titled “Spirit”.
Mr Johnston and Ms Jude McBean, Director of Grafton Regional Gallery, said they are pleased to announce Djon Mundine has accepted the invitation to judge this year’s award.
“He is among Australia’s most accomplished Indigenous artists and has had great success on an international level,” Ms McBean said.
“Djon Mundine is enthusiastic about travelling to this area to meet local Indigenous artists as he originally came from the Grafton area.”
Awards will be presented in several categories, including first prize of $3000, an award for three-dimensional artwork of $1000, a collaborative award for artworks created by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal artists of $1000, a youth award of $500 and a People’s Choice award of $1000 sponsored by Southern Cross University’s Gnibi College.
The deadline for submission of artwork is Friday 29 June 2007, and information and entry forms are available by contacting National Parks or Grafton Regional Gallery on 6642 3177.
