Now in its 30th year, ‘the churchie national emerging art prize (‘the churchie’)’ has grown in profile and significance, supporting emerging artists in its dedication to innovation and excellence across contemporary, traditional and new media genres.
On Saturday 11 November, the 2017 winners of ‘the churchie’ were announced at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Art Museum in Brisbane, by guest judges Aileen Burns and Johan Lundh, Executive Directors at the Institute of Modern Art (IMA).
Pierre Mukeba, James 2:10, 2017, brush pen and fabric appliqué on cotton. Courtesy the artist and GAGPROJECTS, Adelaide
The overall winner, and recipient of the $15,000 prize, is Pierre Mukeba for his series of six large-scale figurative textile paintings. Taking a critical view of the social, political and cultural perspectives of African – specifically Congolese – culture, his work focuses on what he endured as a child growing up in Central Africa in the shadows of civil war, before being granted asylum in Australia in 2006.
Mukeba’s candid paintings give the viewer a rare first-hand insight into the turbulent times in Africa as they look into the eyes of his family members and see the trauma of their experiences. Working with brush pen and fabric appliqué on cotton, the artist favours a restricted palette of three colours: red as associated with war, strength and power; blue to represent piety and sincerity; and yellow to represent happiness and joy.
Burns said, ‘Art is about seeing the world in new ways, and artists often bring new perspectives. Pierre’s work stood out as incredibly mature, developed, and visually striking, and for those reasons it was a clear winner for us.’
Lundh further commented that no matter what stage of their career an artist is in, ‘If you have something important to say, you have to say it in a way that makes people listen, and I think Pierre has done that.’
Hayley Millar-Baker received the new Special Commendation award of $5,000 for her series of three photographic collages, Even if the race is fated to disappear (Peeneeyt meerreeng / Before, now, tomorrow) (2017).
The Sam Whiteley Memorial Commendation of $1,000 was awarded to Abdul-Rahman Abdullah for his wooden sculpture, The boy who couldn’t sleep (2017); and Joy Ivill for her textile works, It’s over, we’re cactus (2017) and Dubuffet’s men (2017).
From over 900 artworks submitted from around 400 entrants, 30 emerging artists were selected as finalists for ‘the churchie’ in 2017. An exhibition of the finalists’ work can be seen at QUT Art Museum until 17 December 2017.
