Congratulations to Vicki Yatjiki Cullinan, who has won the $100,000 Hadley’s Art Prize for her work Ngayuku Ngura (My Country).
The senior Yankunytjatjara artist from Indulkana Community in South Australia has a 20-year practice spanning painting, printmaking and drawing. The winning piece, made from acrylic on linen, is a hauntingly beautiful depiction of Country.
“My painting is connected to the Tjukurpa (Ancestral Stories) that I know, but also my paintings are an extension of who I am, and how I interpret my place in the world.”
“I paint my Country, the beautiful and powerful Yankunytjatjara Country that I live on and that will always be a part of me,” says Cullinan. “My painting is connected to the Tjukurpa (Ancestral Stories) that I know, but also my paintings are an extension of who I am, and how I interpret my place in the world.”
Cullinan was chosen from 30 finalists, with the judging panel saying, “Cullinan’s work knocked us out at first glance and just kept giving. The longer you look at it, the better it gets. The work does not reveal all its secrets at once. Like the Country, it is vibrant and alive. We were all drawn to Cullinan’s work and found it utterly fascinating. This year’s Hadley’s Art Prize is incredibly high-quality and diverse, with entrants from every state and territory. It was a privilege to spend time with each of the artworks and encourage everyone to visit the Finalists’ Exhibition.”
The finalists exhibition is now open at Hadley’s Orient Hotel in Hobart, and runs until 20 August.
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