Robert Fielding has become the first Aboriginal artist to win the $25,000 Fisher’s Ghost art award in its 59 year history.
Last night in the Campbelltown arts centre his work (pictured) Tjukurpa – synthetic polymer and aerosol paint on linen, 152cm x 122cm – took out the open award.
One of the most prestigious art prizes in Australia,
Fisher’s Ghost in the past has gone to some of the country’s pre-eminent artists such as Khaled Sabsabi, Justene Williams, Tina Havelock Stevens and Raquel Ormella.
Based in the Mimili community in the remote Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) lands, South Australia, Fielding (pictured) is a contemporary artist of Pakistani, Afghan, Western Arrente and Yankunytjatjara descent.
Fielding’s practice comfortably traverses mediums to explore cultural tensions and community life and pushes the conceptual boundaries in central desert painting.
In his artist statement about his work, Fielding states that “some truths are so strong and important they shine through the veils and complex systems of sacred storylines’’.
“Tjukurpa is the foundation of our culture, the sacredness of our land, and the depth of our knowledge. It flows through every aspect of existence, present in everything we do, everything we are.’’
Fielding previously won the work on paper category at the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander awards in 2015 and 2017 and the 2015 Desart Art Worker prize.
In 2018 he held his first international solo exhibition at the Fondation Opale in Switzerland. He was part of the Australia Council for the arts’ signature works innovation lab in Hobart in 2019.
This year’s Fisher’s Ghost Art Award was judged by artists Suzanne Archer and Dr Danie Mellor and inaugural director of Ngununggula, Southern Highlands Regional Gallery, Megan Monte.
Danie Mellor said Fielding’s Tjukurpa was a painting that “shows innovation in his expansive approach to literally redefining a cultural language’’.
“While the title of the work suggests a deeply felt connection by the artist with ancient and continuing traditions of Country and people, its stencilled text and layered symbols are emblematic of contemporary life and a Dreaming being lived now,’’ Mellor said.
“Fielding is unique among artists whose work inscribes new boundaries of interpretation, and Tjukurpa presents an insightful juxtaposition of form and meaning.’’
Michael Dagostino, the director of Campbelltown Arts Centre, added: “We are very excited that Robert has won the Fisher’s Ghost art award, the first Aboriginal artist to win this important prize in its 59 year history.’’
| FULL LIST OF 2021 WINNERS: OPEN – Robert Fielding – Tjukurpa CONTEMPORARY – Alison Clouston & Boyd – Coalface 4 5 Bimblebox TRADITIONAL – Nola Tegel – Late Winter Mt Hunter MACARTHUR AWARD – Bron King – The Crucifixion SOUTHWEST SYDNEY AWARD – Joshua Charadia – Peripheral View 79 MACABILITY AWARD – Oliver Fontany – VHS STACK 1 ABORIGINAL ART AWARD – Jazz Money – Crush PRIMARY AWARD – Maay M – Halloween, Lucena O’Halloran – The Door to Wonder, Wajiha Razawi – Are we good SECONDARY AWARD – Harrison Assad – Material Portrait of Little Yachty, Benjamin Ballantyne – Animal Skull, Charlotte Berkley – Stacked Stones, Ally Brown – Bilirr. |
