By Natasha Fujimoto
WITH 19 finalists shortlisted from a strong contention of artists and 27 language groups represented, this year’s Indigenous Ceramic Awards competition includes award winning ceramists of both national and international renown.
ON Yorta Yorta country, the Shepparton Art Museum unveiled its seventh iteration of the prestigious Indigenous Ceramic Awards (ICA) on Saturday, August 13.
Reflecting the diverse geographical and cultural locations of the artists, the artworks range in form and technique from the traditional to the experimental.
For Belinda Briggs, Indigenous curator at SAM, it is the unique identity of the artists, informed by connection to country and story, that resonate in the pieces, as she says, “It is really beautiful and great to see artists moving deeper into their practice around thinking about the material and where they come from and what that means for them, especially when they’re thinking about country and home and who they are – their identities and connections. In many ways the works are self-portraits.”
The formal opening and award ceremony for the ICA will be held at SAM on Saturday, October 8 and will be accompanied by a cultural program, which will be continued on Sunday, October 9.
Announced at the ceremony will be $20,000 Acquisitive prize, the $5,000 South-East Australian Aboriginal Artist prize and $1,500 People’s Choice Award.
