Nungali Posted July 28, 2017 (edited) First awarded in 1921, the Archibald, Australia’s most recognised art prize, is judged by the trustees of the Art Gallery of NSW and awarded annually to the best portrait, “preferentially of some man or woman distinguished in art, letters, science or politics, painted by any artist resident in Australasia”. Tjungkara Ken, from Amata from Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands (APY) in South Australia’s far North West, decided to paint a self potrait and enter the competition ; Its her 'country' her 'dreaming' as she explained . I am not just what you see here , I am part of that country and that dreaming. Any portrait of myself should show all of me . not just what you see here . ( In the interview filmed at a place that isnt her 'homeland' . . Some have said it isnt a portrait but a landscape . Apparently the art judges didnt think so and accepted it . This year, nine APY Lands artists are among the 42 finalists for the Wynne, which is held concurrently with the Archibald Prize. Their art seems to be taking off . Tjungkara Ken Edited July 28, 2017 by Nungali 10 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nungali Posted July 28, 2017 Spoiler Arial photography - part of APY lands . 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Chang Posted July 28, 2017 It is all nonsense and simply a case of the Emperors New Clothes. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marblehead Posted July 28, 2017 But without underwear. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
blue eyed snake Posted July 28, 2017 It has a strange and touching beauty 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
silent thunder Posted July 28, 2017 That is stunning. She painted the landscape and her portrait. They are not separate, not mutually exclusive. Really powerful. Thanks for sharing. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
doc benway Posted July 28, 2017 It is a portrait and a landscape... For one who recognizes her true self, it is a portrait. For one who remains tied to their separation from the land, it is a landscape. Either way, I find it wonderful and inspiring. Here is a beautiful painting from the APY lands called Ngayuku Ngura Kuuti Uwankara (My Country's Energy and Spirit is everywhere) The artist is Rosalind Tjanyari For anyone living in the US, there is a wonderful museum that is entirely dedicated to Aboriginal art and is a part of the University of Virginia. It is the Kluge-Ruhe museum in Charlottesville, Virginia. I highly recommend a visit if you are in the area. 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gendao Posted July 28, 2017 (edited) Although original aboriginal art was generally imprinted directly on Nature (petroglyphs), and not on rectilinear canvases... Which is yet another artificial, rectilinear framing superceding our natural field of vision, which is more of a buttprint shape without really hard borders... Remember, even "Yeshua" was (allegedly) constantly persecuted and eventually crucified for violating various "laws." So his crucifixion on the rectilinear cross symbolized the initial "triumph" of this square cult in overriding "Divine Nature." But of course, Man's "laws" are actually misnomers because in science, a law cannot be broken. And if it can be, then it has been effectively disproven and is thus no longer truly a law. Therefore, a manmade law can never truly supercede a natural one. Hence, Yeshua still "rose again" in the end... Edited July 29, 2017 by gendao 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gerard Posted July 29, 2017 (edited) Wonderful Australian paintings! The last of a group of the Pintibi tribe who had never seen a white man emerged from the western desert in 1984. http://www.desertdreams.com.au/Western_Desert_Art_History.html Edited July 29, 2017 by Gerard Share this post Link to post Share on other sites