Another win for Karla
Around 100 Indigenous and non-indigenous people attended the official opening of the National Parks and Wildlife Services (NPWS) Northern Rivers Region Aboriginal Art Award at the Grafton Regional Gallery. The opening featured an Indigenous dance performance by the Bundjalung Dance Troupe.
“The sunny winter’s day was the perfect accompaniment to some excellent dancing and the announcement of the prize winners,” said Kerrie Battese, Community Relations Ranger, Northern Rivers Region.
The difficult job of judging the prize, titled Past Present Future, belonged to Djon Mudine OAM, the internationally acclaimed Aboriginal artist and curator.
National Parks said Djon was impressed with the high quality of the entries and announced to the assembled crowd that several works were of winning quality but in the end Karla Dickens, with her painting Then, Now, When, took out the honours in the open category worth $3000. Karla’s work reflects freedom from the past, hope in the present and love for the future. This is the second time Karla has won the award. The Goonellabah-based artist took out last year’s award held at Lismore Regional Gallery.
Other artists earning prizes were Garth Lena in the 3D category with his timber sculpture Mother and Sisters. Teresa Anderson and Jenny Frost with their painting Journey Meeting Coincidence took out the Collaborative Prize, and Courtney Gibson went home with the Youth Award for her work Who I am.
Seven highly commended awards were also handed out on the day, proving the high standard overall.
“The People’s Choice award of $1000 is still to be awarded,” said Kerrie. “Members of the public are encouraged to come in and vote for their favourite. The award is sponsored by the Southern Cross University’s Gnibi Indigenous college and the winner will be announced after the exhibition finishes on 12 August.”
The exhibition organised by NPWS and Grafton Regional Gallery is in its sixth year and is bigger and better than ever with over 70 entries on display. Past Present Future will be on show at Grafton Regional Gallery, 158 Fitzroy Street, Grafton until 12 August.
