2014 Indigenous Ceramic Art Award Shortlisted Artists Announced by Shepparton Art Museum
13 April 2014
SAM has announced the shortlisted artists who will present works in its 2014 Indigenous Ceramic Art Award (ICAA) next month.
This year’s award will include work by 22 artists shortlisted from across Australia, including Adelaide; Melbourne; Ernabella, NT; Cairns, Qld; Torres Strait Islands; Bankstown, Sydney and regional Victoria.
The 2014 ICAA shortlisted artists include:
Anne Thomson
Bankstown Koorie Elders group
Bevan Skinner
Christina Gollan
Cynthia Vogler
Deanne Gilson
Edna Ambrym
Ellarose Savage
Irene Entata
Janet Fieldhouse
Jimmy Kenny Thaiday
Kerry Reed-Gilbert
Lawrence Omenyo
Milyika Carroll
Pepai Carroll
Ricardo Idagi
Robert Kelty
Robyne Latham
Rona Rubuntja
Shauna Colin
Shenane Jago
Tanya Fowler
With a combined prize pool of $33 000, the Indigenous Ceramic Art Award is the premier national award for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists working in ceramics.
First prize $20 000 Acquisitive
Second prize $10 000 Acquisitive
Encouragement Award (for a Victorian artist) $3,000 Acquisitive
The award winners will be announced at the official opening of the exhibition on Saturday 24 May at 4pm, following a curatorial floor talk with Nicholas Boseley at 2.30pm. For further information on the Indigenous Ceramic Art Award Cultural Weekend (Saturday 24 – Sunday 25 May) please visit www.sheppartonartmuseum.com.au/programs-and-events.
2014 ICAA guest curator and filmmaker Nicholas Boseley commented:
‘On my travels to Aboriginal ceramic studios and individual artists across Australia, I was very excited to see so many new works made with such creativity, imagination and thought.’
‘It was enriching to see how culture, personal experiences and isolation have informed the works. One sees the beautiful lands or countries the artists belong to, in all their varied and unique forms. From mountain-scapes to seedpods and sea creatures, all are evidence of a continuity of deep connection with all of nature.’
‘There are lands and seas we are compelled to imagine, by figures looking purposefully outwards. They speak of ancient rights, of events in recent Aboriginal history and the complexities of emotions arising from such.’
‘The diversity of Aboriginal culture, lands and stories will shine brightly in this superb ceramic exhibition and awards program.’
SAM Director Kirsten Paisley commented:
‘The 2014 award highlights the development of artists through the award series, and also how many new artists have discovered ceramics and are beginning to make work for the first time in clay. It has been particularly encouraging to see a local ceramic studio established in Shepparton this year and previous ICAA artists teaching ceramics, as yet a further extension of the ICAA program and its impact on individuals.‘
SAM will also present a film produced by Nicholas Boseley in the exhibition based on his journey to meet with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ceramic artists across Australia over the past six months. From renowned pottery studios in Hermannsburg and Ernabella, NT to a new ceramics studio for Aboriginal artists in Shepparton, Victoria; and artists working in Adelaide and the Tiwi Islands, Nicholas meets artists as they prepare to produce work to enter in the 2014 ICAA. The film will also screen at Federation Square on Wednesday 14 May as part of the Give It Up For Margaret festival, celebrating one of the ICAA’s major funders, the Margaret Lawrence Bequest.
The 2014 Indigenous Ceramic Art Award exhibition will run from 16 May to 10 August at Shepparton Art Museum, Victoria. For further information please visit www.sheppartonartmuseum.com.au.
ICAA MAJOR PARTNERS
Sir Andrew and Lady Fairley Foundation
Margaret Lawrence Bequest, Perpetual Trustees
Mr Allan Myers AO QC
ICAA PARTNER
S.J. Rothfield Family Fund / Australian Communities Foundation / Fairer Futures Fund
For further information, high-resolution images, or to arrange for interviews, please contact SAM marketing co-ordinator Amina Barolli on (03) 5832 9522 or amina.barolli@shepparton.vic.gov.au. A VIP Media Preview will be held on Thursday 15 May at 10.30am.
New SAM Foundation Board Announced
7 April 2014
Greater Shepparton City Council has announced the appointment of a Board of Directors and an interim Board Chair for the Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) Foundation.
Managing Director Goulburn Valley Water, Peter Quinn has been appointed interim Board Chair. Mr Quinn has extensive experience in strategic planning, regional infrastructure development, organisational capacity building, risk management and governance. He holds an Executive MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management, and has undertaken a Churchill Fellowship project on water resource management.
The Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) Foundation Board comprises seven members, with founder, Greater Shepparton City Council CEO, Gavin Cator, fulfilling a temporary appointment until the Board makes a decision with regard to up to three additional members.
Mr Quinn was appointed along with Mr Stephen Copulos, Managing Director, Copulos Group; Dr Jody Evans, Associate Professor (Marketing), Melbourne Business School; Mr Carrillo Gantner AO, Chair, Sidney Myer Fund; Mr George Gabriel, Non-Executive Director, Morphic Asset Management; and Mr Drew Pettifer, Artist and Lecturer, Monash University.
Newly appointed Chair, Peter Quinn, said "It's an honour to lead the inaugural SAM Foundation Board and I'm delighted by the calibre of individuals and the range of skills represented amongst my fellow Directors."
"It is an exciting endeavour that we are embarking on, toward a new expanded Art Museum for Shepparton," said Mr Quinn. "The vision to me is clear and compelling, and it's not just about a new building, it's about a museum that becomes the cultural heartbeat of the city and our regional communities. And of course a magnet for domestic and international visitors, so that the museum plays a big part in the future prosperity and liveability of Greater Shepparton."
"There will be many challenges along the way, but I'm confident the Board has the capability and the motivation to keep an eye on the prize and work towards a great outcome," he said.
Greater Shepparton City Council CEO, Gavin Cator said the appointment of the Board represents a significant step in opening up support for SAM and growing new revenue opportunities for its growth.
"I extend my thanks to the voluntary Board of Directors for their commitment to SAM and its important role in the future of Greater Shepparton. This is a fantastic group of individuals with broad ranging skills and strong links to the region," said Mr Cator.
Expressions of interest to join the board were sought from individuals with the desire and capacity to gift and raise funds, with skills in the philanthropic, financial investment, legal, arts, business or marketing sectors. Expressions of interest closed on 6 December 2013 and a selection panel comprising Greater Shepparton City Council CEO Gavin Cator, Mayor Jenny Houlihan, SAM Director Kirsten Paisley and Acting General Manager Market & Community Development, Arts Victoria, Ian Rogers was convened to review the applications and make a determination.
The SAM Foundation Board came together for the first time on Tuesday 1 April, 2014 to meet each other, Councillors and Senior Council Staff and to tour the Art Museum, with the inaugural meeting of the Board planned for later this month.
The SAM Foundation has been established as a company limited by guarantee with Deductible Gift Recipient Status, to raise funds for a new expanded SAM and for the growth of the art collection.
The appointment of the Board follows Council approval at a meeting in February to go ahead with a detailed feasibility study to look at options for a stand-alone new SAM facility.
If you would like to express interest in the SAM Foundation please contact SAM Director Kirsten Paisley on phone (03) 5832 9700.
Image: (l-r) Greater Shepparton City Council CEO Gavin Cator, SAM Foundation Chair Peter Quinn, Board Member Stephen Copulos and SAM Director Kirsten Paisley.