Congratulations to the winners of the 2011 Victorian Indigenous Art Awards

Victorian Premier and Minister for the Arts, Ted Baillieu announced the winners of the 2011 Victorian Indigenous Art Awards in Melbourne on 11 March.

Twenty five finalists were named in the shortlist on 18 February and they were all in the running for prizes valued at over $50,000 in total. Two awards are supported by CAL’s Cultural Fund and we congratulate the winners below.

CAL Victorian Indigenous Art Award for Works on Paper
Winner: Kamahi-Djordon King for Attack of the 50 Foot Black Gin
Highly commended: Megan Cadd for One Dress, So much History Nan’s Dress

CAL Victorian Indigenous Art Award for Three Dimensional Works
Winner: Paola Balla for A Little Birdy Told Me
Highly commended: Robyne Lathan for Empty Coolamon

Kamahi-Djordon’s work, Attack of the 50 Foot Black Gin was sold on the night of the awards announcement. The work was sold to a collector for $3,500. Kamahi-Djordon was born and raised in the local communities around Katherine, Northern Territory, and now lives in Victoria.

Established in 2004, the Awards aim to support, develop and showcase Indigenous art produced in Victoria.

A finalist exhibition is on until 2 April at fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.

In commenting on the exhibition, Mr Baillieu said, ‘Some of the works are beautiful, others are challenging and politically charged. This is an exhibition full of strong, arresting imagery, whether created through traditional craft techniques or digital technology.’

For further information on the Awards and the other winners, refer to the Victorian Indigenous Arts Awards website.

Information about CAL’s Cultural Fund can be found here.

Item posted on 16 March 2011.