SAM Open 2023 – Announcement of theme
25 October 2022
The theme for the Shepparton Art Museum’s annual open-call exhibition has been set, with applications to open in November 2022.
SAM Open is Shepparton Art Museum (SAM)’s annual open-call exhibition that celebrates and showcases the creativity of the artistic community across Greater Shepparton, the Goulburn Valley and the Hume Region. The exhibition program invites local artists working in any medium and at any experience level or career stage to submit work for inclusion in SAM Open. The selected submissions are then exhibited collectively in the SAM Community Gallery.
The theme for the upcoming SAM Open is Home. The theme is open to broad artistic interpretation and may be approached from a personal, social, or cultural perspective.
Caroline Esbenshade, SAM Community Curator, says of the theme:
“This year we’ve chosen the theme of ‘Home’ because it’s something that everyone has a concept of, but everyone’s experience or understanding of what ‘home’ is to them will be unique. In picking a theme, I hoped to land on something that was broad enough for everyone to feel they could respond to, but tangible enough that it could inspire and provide an opportunity for conversations to unfold to better connect us as a community.”
From 7 November 2022, artists based in Greater Shepparton, Goulburn Valley and the Hume Region will be able to apply to exhibit their works in SAM Open. Applications will close on 6 February 2023. SAM Open will be on display at SAM from 29 April to 16 July 2023. Information on the full process, guidelines and artwork specifications can be found on the SAM website: https://sheppartonartmuseum.com.au/support-get-involved/exhibit-at-sam/
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About SAM:
Shepparton Art Museum (SAM), located on Yorta Yorta Country, is one of Australia's outstanding regional art museums, showcasing our exhibitions and collections in new and exciting ways and creating a welcoming, inclusive, and engaging space for all audiences. Artists are central to our work. Our programming is designed to be locally relevant and engage with global contemporary ideas. SAM is recognised for its significant Australian ceramics collection, and our nationally significant collection of Indigenous art. As the only public art museum in Greater Shepparton and north central Victoria, our mission is to present great art in Shepparton, and to contribute to the cultural enrichment, community engagement and economic prosperity of the region.
Media enquiries, please contact: Louise Tremper, Marketing Coordinator, SAM
p: (03) 4804 5026 e: ltremper@sheppartonartmuseum.com.au
2022 ICA Winners Announced
10 October 2022
The winners of the Shepparton Art Museum’s 2022 Indigenous Ceramics Award have been announced, with Pitjantjatjara artist Anne Nginyangka Thompson and Gamilaroi artist Sean Miller taking out the top prizes.
Anne Nginyangka Thompson was awarded the Major Acquisitive Prize of $20,000 for her 2022 work Strong Family Connection by the judging panel, consisting of K/Gamilaroi artist Penny Evans, artist Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran and Senior Curator of South Eastern Aboriginal Collections at Museums Victoria Kimberley Moulton. The South-East Australian Aboriginal Artist Prize of $5,000 was awarded to Sean Miller for his 2022 work Galibaay on Country.
Anne Nginyangka Thompson is a previous ICA winner, having taken out the top prize in 2014 with her work Ngayuku Ngura, which was acquired into the SAM collection. Strong Family Connection, her entry to the 2022 ICA, is an elongated stoneware vase with several vignettes etched into its surface, reminiscent of traditional blue willow fine china patterns, and reflects Nginyangka Thompson’s deep appreciation of nature. At the close of the 2022 ICA exhibition, her winning work will be acquired into the SAM collection.
Sean Miller is a previous ICA finalist, with his work Songlines in the Sky making it into the 2016 ICA. Galibaay on Country, his entry to the 2022 ICA, is a large ceramic vessel adorned with a wooden snake, which winds its way around the neck of the vessel. The vessel features an etched chevron pattern – a common motif in Miller’s work.
Penny Evans, Ramesh Mario Nithiyendran and Kimberley Moulton, 2022 ICA judging panel, say of the winning works:
“Anne’s work was visually, aesthetically, and technically resolved, with a remarkable complexity in its depiction of the mapping and connection to country. It held an energy that captivated each of us.
Sean’s work had presence, and the depth of the carving impressed us. As an artist, Sean is confident and has sound knowledge in materiality. The work has a playfulness to it and was a strong reflection of the iconography of his country.”
Now in its seventh iteration, the 2022 ICA attracted submissions from across Australia. The exhibition features 19 finalist works from 26 contemporary artists, representing 16 language groups.
Voting for the 2022 ICA People’s Choice Award will continue until the close of the exhibition on 4 December. Announcement of the award winner will take place soon after vote counting has been completed. The artist behind the winning work of the People’s Choice Award will be granted $1,500 in prize money.
Full list of 2022 ICA finalists
Anne Nginyangka Thompson, Pitjantjatjara (SA) – WINNER, Major Acquisitive Prize ($20,000)
Sean Miller, Gamilaroi (NSW) – WINNER, South-East Australian Aboriginal Artist Award ($5,000)
Alfred Lowe, Arrernte (NT)
Alison Milyika Carroll, Pitjantjatjara (SA)
Bankstown Koori Elders Group (NSW)
- Lorna Morgan Waka-Waka, Darumbal (QLD), Lillian Johnson Waka-Waka, Gubbi Gubbi (QLD), Gloria Peronchik Waka-Waka Gangulu (QLD), Beverley Gilmartin Wiradjuri (NSW), Victoria Woods Wiradjuri (NSW), Margaret Foat, Buandik (SA), Lola Simmons Wailwan (NSW), John Simmons (NSW)
Beth Inkamala Mbitjana, Western Aranda (NT)
Billy Bain, Darug (NSW)
Carlene Thompson, Pitjantjatjara (SA)
Debbie Taylor-Worley, Gamilaraay/Gomeroi (NSW)
Elisa Jane Carmichael, Ngugi (QLD)
Elizabeth Dunn, Pitjantjatjara (SA)
Hayley Coulthard Panangka, Western Aranda (NT)
Jock Puautjimi, Tiwi (NT)
Megan Croydon, Kuku Yalanji (QLD)
Philip Denham, Girramay (QLD)
Philomena Yeatman, Gunggandji (QLD)
Rupert Jack, Pitjantjatjara (SA)
Tjunkaya Tapaya OAM, Pitjantjatjara (SA)
Vivian Pingkayi Thompson, Pitjantjatjara (SA)
About the award winners:
Anne Nginyangka Thompson is an emerging artist based at Ernabella Arts in the Pukatja Community (Musgrave Ranges, South Australia). Beginning ceramics in high school, her practice has developed into a meditation on her love for nature. Nginyangka Thompson has previously exhibited in the 2014 Indigenous Ceramic Award (ICA), and was awarded the first prize, with her work being acquired into the Shepparton Art Museum (SAM) Collection. Thompson also works in contemporary jewellery and resin; in 2015 her work was featured in the exhibition Jewellery Has Always Been There at the Jam Factory during Tarnanthi Festival in Adelaide.
Sean Miller is a Gamilaroi man living on Wurundjeri Country (Melbourne). He explores his Gamilaroi heritage through ceramics, woodwork, painting, and photography. For Miller, working in clay and wood creates a tangible connection to Country, where his ancestors culturally and artistically shaped the ground and carved trees for ceremony. Miller was a finalist in the 2016 Indigenous Ceramic Award (ICA) and in 2020 he won the Koorie Heritage Trust’s Emerging Artist Award at the 8th Koorie Art Show. His work is held in numerous private and public collections, including the National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), Melbourne and Shepparton Art Museum (SAM).
ENDS
About SAM:
Shepparton Art Museum (SAM), located on Yorta Yorta Country, is one of Australia's outstanding regional art museums, showcasing our exhibitions and collections in new and exciting ways and creating a welcoming, inclusive, and engaging space for all audiences. Artists are central to our work. Our programming is designed to be locally relevant and engage with global contemporary ideas. SAM is recognised for its significant Australian ceramics collection, and our nationally significant collection of Indigenous art. As the only public art museum in Greater Shepparton and north central Victoria, our mission is to present great art in Shepparton, and to contribute to the cultural enrichment, community engagement and economic prosperity of the region.
Media enquiries, please contact: Louise Tremper, Marketing Coordinator, SAM
p: (03) 4804 5026 e: ltremper@sheppartonartmuseum.com.au
SAM Studios returns for Term 4 with Rachel Doller
10 October 2022
SAM Studios, our art extension workshop series for senior high school students, returns for Term 4 with local artist Rachel Doller at the helm.
Shepparton Art Museum’s popular after-school educational workshop series will be back for Term 4, running every Tuesday from 4 October to 15 November. This term, Tatura-based award winning artist Rachel Doller, whose work was featured in Shepparton’s inaugural White Night program, will lead students through the series of workshops. SAM Studios (previously known as SAM Scholars) offers art-focused mentoring and assists senior students in developing and gaining new practical art skills under the instruction of practising artists and experienced SAM staff.
Gabriella Calandro, SAM Engagement Manager, says of the program:
“SAM Studios builds on the school curriculum and creates a space where VCE students can access materials and can continue to hone their technique and skill to enhance their abilities, allowing them to grow their folio for final assessment at the end of the year. Mimi’s work has a vibrant, animated style, and she will be an incredible mentor for young people with aspirations in the creative fields. Students will benefit immensely from weekly face-to-face sessions with a practising artist.”
The six-week course, titled How to Draw Badly, will draw from Mimi’s colourful practice to encourage participants to explore their own artistic style and language, enrich their own portfolios and gain industry insight to inform their future pathways. Previous participants in the workshop have gone on to have their works selected in SAM’s annual GV Top Arts exhibition Fresh, which showcases the talent of young artists in the region and provides their first experience in exhibiting in a significant arts institution, creating exposure and recognition. Students who have their works featured in the exhibition are also in contention for a number of prizes; artworks are judged by a selection panel, and by visitors for the People’s Choice Award.
The SAM Studios sessions are free, with registrations open to all senior students in the Goulburn Valley region who are currently studying Art, Studio Art or Visual Communication. Bookings can be made via the SAM website: https://sheppartonartmuseum.com.au/event/sam-studio-term-3/
SAM Studios is generously supported by the Victorian Government Department of Education and Training.
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About the artist:
Rachel Doller’s work echoes personal musings which are reflected in a variety of styles from eye-catching abstract landscapes, expressive still life compositions and geometric assemblages. Using a variety of media including acrylic, cut paper, oil pastel and recycled/found objects, Doller creates pieces that are bold and graphic with colour combinations that are dynamic and engaging.
Inspired by the fact that art is a cultivar of ideas and feelings, Doller’s distinctive visual language is reflective of her everyday; the joy, the fear and the need for change.
Doller has exhibited in numerous group and 3 solo shows over the past 7 years and her work has been collected in Australia and Europe. She exhibited alongside her mum and sister for Shepparton Festival 2022 in their group exhibition 'Pieced together,' and was commissioned to design a light installation for White Night Shepparton 2022. Currently she is working on abstract landscapes and recycled/found object assemblages.
About SAM:
Shepparton Art Museum (SAM), located on Yorta Yorta Country, is one of Australia's outstanding regional art museums, showcasing our exhibitions and collections in new and exciting ways and creating a welcoming, inclusive and engaging space for all audiences. Artists are central to our work. Our programming is designed to be locally relevant and engage with global contemporary ideas. SAM is recognised for its significant Australian ceramics collection, and our nationally significant collection of Indigenous art. As the only public art museum in Greater Shepparton and north central Victoria, our mission is to present great art in Shepparton, and to contribute to the cultural enrichment, community engagement and economic prosperity of the region.
Media enquiries, please contact: Louise Tremper, Marketing Coordinator, SAM
p: (03) 4804 5026 e: ltremper@sheppartonartmuseum.com.au
Image: Rachel Doller in her studio. Photo by Cam Matheson.