Yankunytjatjara artist Zaachariaha Fielding has won the People’s Choice for the Ramsay Art Prize 2023 with his work Wonder Drug, a collection of sixteen works on paper exploring battling voices, both internal and external that are faced in life.
A suite of works on cardboard, Fielding refers to his winning work as gremlins; a download of emotion, an outpouring. They represent the battling voices, internal and external, of flattery and insult, pleasure and pain.
Importantly, he embraces these voices as an opportunity to learn and develop, by understanding how to navigate these opposites, the universal pushes and pulls of life.
A visual artist and celebrated performer from electric pop-duo Electric Fields, Zaachariaha Fielding regards painting as an emotional experience, one that can capture sensations of pleasure while also requiring the courage to treat painful episodes with a therapeutically playful approach.
This success follows Fielding’s recent win of the Art Gallery of New South Wales’ annual for landscape paintings, The Wynne Prize.
“Winning this People’s Choice is the ultimate compliment, as an artist you put yourself out there and a judgement is always coming – good or bad. When people celebrate what you’ve created, there’s a feeling for me of being shoulder to shoulder with them, rather than in front,” said Zaachariaha Fielding.
“That is such a beautiful thing. I am so grateful to everyone who voted for my gremlins, I loved making them and I’m so thrilled that you enjoyed them too. Importantly, I dedicate this award to the elders and leaders who started my studio in Adelaide, it has changed my life and I will be forever indebted to them. Palya,” said Fielding.
“To win a people’s choice prize is an achievement of utmost praise to the artist – a true demonstration of the ways in which audiences have connected with an artist’s work. We congratulate Zaachariaha Fielding on this wonderful achievement,” said AGSA Director, Rhana Devenport ONZM.
Supported by specialist legal practice LK, the People’s Choice is a $15,000 prize, with one winner selected by public vote from the 27 Ramsay Art Prize finalists.
As supporters of contemporary Australian art, LK Principal Scott Foreman says, “Congratulations to Zaachariaha Fielding for winning the 2023 LK People’s Choice for his vibrant work Wonder Drug,” he said.
“LK is very proud of its involvement with the Ramsay Art Prize and pleased that emerging artists have this platform for their work and opportunity to connect with audiences.”
“Thank you to the artists for drawing us into your world and the James & Diana Ramsay Foundation and AGSA for making this experience possible,” said Mr Foreman.
The Ramsay Art Prize 2023 exhibition continues at the Art Gallery of South Australia until Sunday 27 August 2023. Admission is free. For more information, visit: www.agsa.sa.gov.au for details.
Image: Installation view – Ramsay Art Prize 2023 featuring Wonder Drug by Zaachariaha Fielding, Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide – photo by Saul Steed