Queensland’s best Indigenous artists and organisations have been recognised among peers at this year’s Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF).
The Premier and Minister for the Arts, Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, announced the winner of the Queensland Government’s prestigious Premier’s Award for Excellence – Garry Namponan from Wik and Kugu Art Centre will receive $15,000 to support the continued development of his art practice. “Namponan [is] an Aurukun artist renowned for his Ku’ (Camp Dog) sculptures and abstracted painted canvases,” the Premier said.
Anna Palaszczuk and Garry Namponan – Premiers Art Award on stage at CIAF
Speaking on behalf of the judging panel, artist Tony Albert said Namponan was chosen to receive the Premier’s Award for Excellence for his body of work that shows an exceptional quality and narrative that transitions from sculpture through to painting; “These Awards are a wonderful addition to CIAF that celebrates our talented artists, provides further development pathways for Queensland Indigenous artists, and increases the Fair’s national and international profile.”
Additional category winners include:
- Alison Murray from Girringun Art Centre, winner of the Emerging Artist Award sponsored by Marsh Property ($5000 prize)
- Gail Mabo securing the Award for Innovation sponsored by Copyright Agency, Viscopy ($10,000 prize), and Wik and Kugu Art Centre awarded Cairns Regional Council’s Art Centre Award, sponsored by Cairns Regional Council ($10,000 prize).
- Daniel O’Shane, Canopy Art Centre awarded Peoples Choice sponsored by Fibre Optics NQ ($5000)
The judges were particularly impressed with the range of artworks interpreting the Family Values theme that they decided to award a series of high commendations:
- Paul Bong – Excellence category – Highly Commended
- Naomi Hobson – Emerging Artist category – Highly Commended
- Shirley MacNamara – Innovation category – Highly Commended
- Girringun Art Centre – Art Centre category – Highly Commended
This year’s judging panel included Maude Page, Deputy Director, Art Gallery of NSW, Tina Baum Curator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art National Gallery of Australia, and artist Tony Albert.
