Glenda Nicholls has been awarded the $30k Deady Art Award for her woven scuptural work, A Woman’s Rite of Passage.
Glenda is the granddaughter of the late Sir Doug Nicholls, a talented AFL footballer and the first Aboriginal person to be knighted and appointed to vice-regal office as Governor of South Australia in the 1970s. The suburb of Nicholls in Canberra is also named after him.
Originally from Swan Hill, Glenda was taught to weave by her mother and grandmother (Wadi Wadi and Yorta Yorta (Vic) and Ngarrindjeri, (SA)). Now, as a grandmother herself, she is committed to passing on her skills and knowledge to the next generation.
Her prize-winning entry is in the form of three woven cloaks, created to represent Indigenous women and the role they play in Welcome to Country ceremonies.
Martin Foley, Minister for Creative Industries, was at the Art Gallery of Ballarat to make the announcement last night – and also to congratulate the other winners, including Peter Waples-Crowe (West Melbourne), Troy Firebrace (Long Gully) and Brendan Kennedy (Robinvale). Doncaster East artist Raymond Young won the Award for 3D Works.
“Their works have created a stunning exhibition that showcases deep pride, connection to culture and incredible artistry. It’s an exhibition that all Victorians should experience, he said.
The Victorian Indigenous Art Awards began 10 years ago as a way to provide career opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists in Victoria, and for the past 3 have been hosted by the Art Gallery of Ballarat. Gallery Director, Gordon Morrison, said,We are particularly proud that we are hosting the Awards during their tenth anniversary year, and are pleased to offer a special program of events to mark that occasion,
As with Awards elsewhere in the country, this year’s entries include a mix of traditional and contemporary art. The finalists’ works will be on show until 20 September.
Voting is also now open for the $5,000 Creative Victoria People’s Choice Award, which can be done at the Gallery or online creative.vic.gov.au – until 7 September.
2015 VICTORIAN INDIGENOUS ART AWARDS “ AWARD WINNERS
Deadly Art Award
Supported by Creative Victoria
Winner: $30,000 – Glenda Nicholls A Woman’s Rite of Passage
Victorian Indigenous Art Award for Three Dimensional Works
Supported by Creative Victoria and Art Gallery of Ballarat
Winner: $5,000 – Raymond Young From the Ground Up
Highly Commended: $1,500 – Paola Balla Sticks and Stones
Victorian Indigenous Art Award for Works on Paper
Supported by Creative Victoria and Art Gallery of Ballarat
Winner: $5,000 – Peter Waples-Crowe My Dingo Spirit, SOS: They Kill My Kin(d)
Highly Commended: $1,500 – Kent Morris Cultural Reflections #2
Federation University Acquisitive Award for Work by a Victorian Regional Artist
Winner: $5,000 – Troy Firebrace Galaxy Swirl
Australian Catholic University Acquisitive Award for Work Based on Spirituality and Cultural Tradition
Winner: $5,000 – Brendan Kennedy Wangi Withinu Ngauwingi Walwa
Creative Victoria People’s Choice Award $5,000
Supported by Creative Victoria
Cast your vote at the Art Gallery of Ballarat or via www.creative.vic.gov.au.
Voting closes 5pm, Monday 7 September 2015.
