Announced on Saturday 7 December 2024, Richard Young (Gunditjmara, Gunnai, Yorta Yorta, Boon Wurrung) has won the prestigious Creative Victoria Award for Excellence in any Media for his painting Gunditjmarra Marking at the Koorie Art Show 12.
“My piece is to be referred to as Gunditjmarra art, not Aboriginal art,” said Richard Young in hist artistic statement. “I reject the imposed colonial artistic narratives and the self-serving authority of those who claim expertise over our culture without respect and depth of understanding.”
“Gunditjmarra markings are much older than the dot art forms on canvas which have long been dictated as what is “authentic” through a white-dominated lens.”
“The 1872 Gunditjmarra possum skin is an expression of Gunditjmarra data sovereignty. I’ve recreated one marking on this canvas, but its meaning belongs to the wearer, reflecting just one story in our cultural tapestry,” said Young.
The Koorie Heritage Trust is also delighted to announce the eight additional Koorie Art Show award winners, each received a cash prize from a total pool of $40,000, spread across the categories as outlined below:
City of Melbourne Aboriginal Melbourne Award, $5000
Josh Deane – Nelson Baker, 2024
Lendlease Reconciliation Award, $5000
Steven Rhall – ‘Better Call Rhall’ artist services, 2024
Viva Energy Australia 3D Award, $5000
Sean Miller – Birrubirruu, 2024
Viva Energy Australia and ComfortDelGro Australia Award, $5,000
Lyn Thorpe – Dhamala Woka – Grandfather Country [Yorta Yorta Language], 2024
RMIT University Emerging Artist Award, $5000
Fiona Burns – Aboriginal flag eel net, 2023 – 2024
Josh Muir Digital Art Award, $3000
Sarah Cvk – Did you forget? The trees have bark! 2024
KHT Encouragement Award, $500
Lucinda Johnson-Cornes – We know we must move, 2024
From the 121 artists that entered this year, 38 are first time entrants, highlighting the growing importance of the awards within the artistic community.
The incredible range of work from painting, works on paper, photography, sculpture, multi-media, fibre art and more are indicative of the range and depth of the talent of our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists practicing here in Victoria.
The Koorie Art Show is an annual art Award and exhibition and is the only exhibition in Victoria dedicated to showcasing the work of Koorie and Victorian based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists.
The Koorie Art Show 12 and Koorie Art Show Young Mob 7 judging panel are: Belinda Briggs (Yorta Yorta and Wamba Wamba), Jefa Greenaway (Wailwan, Kamilaroi and D’harawal) and Kate Ten Buuren (Taungurung).
“A big congratulations to all the award recipients,” said Tom Mosby, Koorie Heritage Trust CEO. “This year, I have been particularly taken by the depth and thought-provoking artworks that generously speak to culture, Country and kin.”
KHT is also proud to present the Koorie Art Show Young Mob 7 exhibition and Awards. A record number of 38 aspiring artists have entered this year and are all eligible for a number of art store voucher prizes. Discovering emerging talent from young artists (5-16 years) with each present an array of engaging and thought-provoking work.
Through a statewide call for entries, the Koorie Art Show is an annual art Award and exhibition dedicated to showcasing the work of Koorie and Victorian based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. All works entered are exhibited in a salon hang and are available for sale.
The Koorie Heritage Trust People’s Choice Award $1,000 will be announced at the close of the exhibition.
Koorie Art Show 12
Koorie Heritage Trust, Birrarung Building, Federation Square, Melbourne
Exhibition continues to 23 February 2025
Free entry
For more information, visit: www.kht.org.au for details.
Image: Richard Young (Gunditjmara, Gunnai, Yorta Yorta, Boon Wurrung), Gunditjmarra Marking, 2024. Synthetic polymer paint on canvas – photo by Christian Capurro