The Pro Hart Outback Art Prize is an annual acquisitive competition showcasing work in any form of media that refelcts the spirit and diversity of the Australian Outback.
In 2017, the Pro Hart Outback Art Prize received a record 260 plus entries. From these submissions, 43 finalists were chosen for guest judge Kon Gouriotis OAM to select the winner – Western Australian artist Abdul-Rahman Abdullah for his work entitled, Footprint.
Abdul-Rahman Abdullah, Footprint, hand carved wood, oil and stain
Working primarily in sculpture and installation, Abdullah explores different ways that culture, identity and personal mythology can be articulated through ideas of family, animal archetypes and a sense of place.
“We have a problematic relationship with the realities of an ancient landscape that has been stolen, occupied and exploited on an industrial scale in the modern era. It’s a combination of guilt and awe, a reminder of how dangerously insignificant we are”, says Abdullah in response to the Australian Outback.
In Footprint, Abdullah acknowledges our complicity in building a privileged lifestyle on the proceeds of avarice. The kangaroo skin becomes a visitor’s whimsy, twisted underfoot by the relentless dream of ownership at any cost. To ignore the cost of taking so much is to deny the inherent violence of entitlement.
Second prize was awarded to Kristin Haskett for her work entitled, Untitled, and the Encouragement Award went to Andre Schmidt for River-Flats Evening.
The 2017 finalists were: Abdullah-Rahman Abdullah, Jessica Anderson, Clark Barrett, Badger Bates, Max Berry, Alice Blanch, Narelle Cridland, Lee Diviny, Joanne Duffy, Melanie Duncan, Mike Gillam, Silvi Glattauer, Lyn Guy, Kristin Haskett, Sarah McDonald, Kathryn McGovern, Phillip McKay, Hayley Miller-Baker, Janice Mills, Ben Milne, Geoff Overheu, Hal Pratt, Alan Ramachandran, Andre Schmidt, Susan Severino, Tim Shaw, Karen Standke, Laura Stark, Stephen Tiernan, Claire Tozer, Lucy Vader, Dirk van Hees, Shane Vink, Jana Vodesil-Baruffi, Sioma Wajchman, Patricia Walsh, Glenice Ware, Kerrie Warren, Sally West, Jo White, Kathleen Whittingham and Melinda Young.
Broken Hill Regional Art Gallery
Until 13 August, 2017
New South Wales
