Jessica Coldrey, the 2021 Victorian Government John Monash Scholar, has been awarded the $10,000 Agendo Art Prize, a biennial non-acquisitive prize for young emerging artists (under 35) sponsored by The Crone Family.
Coldrey’s eye-catching winning piece, Pet Drone #1, was created during her time as the inaugural artist in residence at Yarra Ranges Tech School (YRTS) in Lilydale, Victoria. A self-portrait, the winning work depicts the artist dressed in a futuristic silver dress with a sky-hive beehive, absurdly taking a small drone for a stroll on a leash. Her project fused 60’s space-age futurism with modern machines to question people’s fears, ecstasies, and mythologies about technology.
Jessica Coldrey, Pet Drone #1, photograph, 59.4 x 42cm (unframed)
This year’s judges – Dr Robert Haysom, Kevin Boyd and Philip Davey –were unanimous in their decision. They shared their enthusiasm for the work, appreciating its clever concept and absurd elements fused with modern society’s growing obsession with emotionally loaded modern technology; Pet Drone #1 questions who is in control – the human or the machine.
Coldrey also captured their attention through her costume staging, clear vision, and proficient understanding of photography.
‘In my artworks, I create experiments, moving between coding, 3D printing and electronics,’ reflects Coldrey who sees herself as a creative technologist, an artist who combines technologies to further conceptual ideas and test out futuristic propositions about society.
Paul Hicks, the Headmaster of Camberwell Grammar School who hosts the Agendo Exhibition, shared that ‘The Agendo Art Competition was conceived to support artists in a practical and meaningful way. The commitment to ‘be an artist’ is one which requires courage and determination and persistence.’
This determination is critical during the harsh realities of the arts industry during COVID-19. ‘In these times of Covid,’ Hicks remarks, ‘it is harder than ever for artists to make their way.’ This rings true for Coldrey, whose ‘Retro Futurism’ exhibition, including her winning piece, closed the morning after it opened due to a snap lockdown.
‘I believe that one of the most important things about being an artist is the opportunity to share your work with people.’
‘For me, art is about helping people reflect on issues that shape the thinking of the future,’ Coldrey shared. ‘I’m humbled and grateful to receive the Agendo Art Prize. It means I can continue making art and sparking conversations for new audiences.’
