The Honourable Rod Welford, MP, Minister for Education and Minister for the Arts, today announced the winning art work of this new national award for emerging Indigenous artists.
In a statement about the award the selection committee described Jonathan Jones’ Lumination fall wall weave 2004/2006 as a beautifully crafted work, suggesting many possible readings. The committee said it revealed a sophisticated understanding of Indigenous arts practice today.
The work explores the complexities and dualities of physical and metaphysical ideas — open and closed, secular and sacred, seen and unseen, masculine and feminine.
Echoing his mother’s sewing practice, Jones translates a ‘woven’ work, embedding it into the wall. Jones has transported the domestic into a public space with a grand elegance. Electrical currents literally charge and illuminate the work.
At 28 years of age, Jonathan Jones promises a purposeful and assured contribution to contemporary Australian art, the selection committee said.
The first award in Australia dedicated to emerging Indigenous artists, the Xstrata Coal Award is the result of a partnership between the Gallery and Xstrata Coal, and will be held again in 2007 and 2008. The Award selection committee considered artists of all ages, working in a range of mediums, in urban centres, and regional and remote communities throughout Australia.
The winning work, and work by the other nine finalists, will be on display at the Gallery until 21 May 2006. Admission is free.
Talks by exhibiting artists: 2pm, 2.30pm & 3pm, Saturday 8 April 2006.
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