The inaugural Kokatha Art Prize has been held with spectacular pieces of art being submitted.
The Art project was a collaboration between KAC and Roxby Council with joint funding from Roxby Council and BHP.
The aim of the project was to produce an enduring legacy of Kokatha art for Roxby Downs, creating opportunities for Kokatha artists and creating an ongoing arts economy in Roxby Downs, in turn generating a greater understanding of Kokatha art.
Kokatha artists were invited to submit entries in the three categories, as well as a sculpture category.
The winning entries were chosen from 17 submissions by a panel of judges. There was no winner chosen in the sculpture category and a separate competition will be held for that category later in the year.
This years winners are
Traditional Food – Paulette Williams
Partnerships & Connections – Matthew Moore
Recreation, Sport & Lifestyle – Paulette Williams
The artists have now been commissioned to produce their entries on a larger scale, which will ultimately be displayed in public locations around Roxby Downs.
Paulette Williams’ work depicting traditional food, tells the story of women and children collecting witchetty grubs, wild onions, honey ants and goannas.
Matthew Moore’s winning entry in the Partnerships & Connections category shows Kokatha people performing ‘Inma’ or dancing and playing music. In the background is BHP’s Olympic Dam operation.
In the Recreation, Sport & Lifestyle category Paulette Williams’ work tells the story of how Kokatha people look after their culture and wellbeing.
All artists who entered work in the competition have been invited to display and sell their pieces at an exhibition, which will be held at Roxby Link Art Gallery in April.
Congratulations to the winning artists and all those who entered.