22 August 2016

Congratulations to Gallery Kaiela Artists, Jack Anselmi and Cynthia Hardie, Yorta Yorta (VIC), the 2016 ICAA recipients.

The Shepparton Art Museum is pleased to announce that the 2016 Indigenous Ceramic Art Award has been awarded to Gallery Kaiela Artists, Jack Anselmi and Cynthia Hardie, Yorta Yorta (VIC).

The winner of the $20,000 acquisitive prize was announced by Mr Rupert Myer AO during the exhibition official opening event, Saturday 20 August 2016.

The judges tasked to select the winner from the 2016 ICAA finalist were Tom Mosby, CEO, Koorie Heritage Trust Inc; Kimberley Moulton, Senior Curator South Eastern Australian Collections, Melbourne Museum; and Dr Rebecca Coates, Director, Shepparton Art Museum.

The judges were looking for a work that was innovative, challenging, exciting and would intrigue while exploring and extending the medium of ceramics.

Judge’s comments:

“ The 2016 ICAA showcased an outstanding calibre of entrants reflecting the sophistication of Indigenous ceramic art practice around the nation. This made judging difficult, requiring a very considered approach. 

While the award is a ceramic award, it is also an Indigenous ceramic award. This meant that works needed to extend the ceramic medium, and also reflect the artist’s perspective as an Indigenous person and their cultural expression.  The ceramic medium needed to enhance the telling of this story.  Each of the works in this year’s award tells a unique story that is very personal to each of the artists, arts collectives and the community they come from, generously sharing aspects of their lives, identity, country and creation stories.

The winning work was selected for its ambition, extension of the artist’s practice, the way it extends the medium of ceramic and importantly for the cultural story it presents. Yorta Yorta artists Jack Anselmi and Cynthia Hardie’s immersive installation, Midden, reveals the different ways that ceramics can be manipulated and extended. The layering of history and content is exposed through a range of ceramic forms: buff raku and ceramic grog, delicate and intricate porcelain bones and shells, and rough hand-shaped balls made from clay collected from the Kaiela (Goulburn) River banks.  The more you look and reflect on this work, the more it reveals.  It is a statement and testament of knowledge and connection to country that weaves the past into the present, gathering communities, families and culture, and leaving a legacy for the future.”

The ICAA is an acquisitive Award that celebrates and supports the rich and diverse use of the ceramic medium by Indigenous artists and acknowledges the special industry of ceramic art. Each shortlisted artist has presented a substantial body of new work for display. To assist the artists to create their dynamic body of work, the seven shortlisted applicants received a development fee to help support the production.

The 2016 ICAA shortlisted artists were:

• Janet Fieldhouse, Torres Strait (QLD)
• Deanne Gilson, Wadawurrung/ Wathaurung (VIC)
• Sean Miller, Kamilaroi (NSW)
• Raymond Young, Gunnai / Yorta Yorta/ Gunditjmara (VIC)
• Alison Murray, Girramay (QLD)

  Gallery Kaiela Artists, Yorta Yorta (VIC)

• Jack Anselmi
• Cynthia Hardie

  Ernabella Potters, Pukatja Community – Pitjantjatjara Language (SA)

• Alison Milyika Carroll
• Elizabeth Dunn
• Rupert Jack
• Lynette Lewis
• Rachael Mipantjiti Lionel
• Janelle Muwitja Nakamarra Thompson
• Fiona Wells
• Tjimpuna Williams

The ICAA is developed in partnership with the Sir Andrew and Lady Fairley Foundation, Margaret Lawrence Bequest and Mr Allan Myers AC QC and is generously supported by Fairer Futures Fund / Australian Communities Foundation.

Exhibition Dates:

For further information, print quality images of Award winners, or to arrange interviews with SAM staff, or ICAA artists please contact SAM Marketing Coordinator Gabriella Calandro on phone (03) 5832 9522 or email gabriella.calandro@shepparton.vic.gov.au.

IMAGE: Jack Anselmi and Cynthia Hardi (Gallery Kaiela), Midden, 2016, buff raku, porcelain, ceramic grog, Goulburn river (Kaiela) terracotta, Red River Gum leaves and grasses, campfire charcoal, bark, 250 x 150 x 65cm approx. irreg. courtesy and © the artists. Photo: Christian Capurro.