The annual Hatched National Graduate Show showcases works by talented recent art school graduates from around the country. This year Elham Eshraghian was selected from a field of 30 exhibitors in Hatched 2018 for the $40,000 Schenberg Art Fellowship.
Eshraghian, a graduate from the University of Western Australia, was awarded the Fellowship for her two-channel digital video, Bohrân.
This year the Schenberg Art Fellowship was judged by director of the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) Amy Barrett-Lennard, Ted Snell, chief cultural officer of UWA Cultural Precinct, and executive editor of Artlink magazine Eve Sullivan.
In her artist’s statement, Eshraghian explained that she was inspired by her mother’s story of escape from persecution in Iran after the 1979 Revolution.
“Drawing from her Iranian Baha’i heritage, Elham successfully combined personal narrative with a broader perspective of world history and politics,” the judges said.
“The interplay between the two projections, which feature choreographed dance sequences, text, archival footage and shadow-play, reveals a confident and sophisticated use of her chosen medium and a sensitive and considered approach to difficult subject matter.”
This year, PICA also initiated three Hatched Residencies which will allow each emerging artist six weeks in one of PICA’s studio spaces to develop their practices. In addition to Elham Eshraghian, residencies were awarded to Sacha Barker (University of Western Australia) and Kate Bohunnis (TAFE South Australia).
Works by all 30 finalists, from 23 institutions nationwide, are on show in the Hatched National Graduate Show until 15 July.