Werribee-based artist Dr Megan Evans has been awarded the $10,000 Footscray Art Prize for her powerful photograph that examines the impact of colonisation on identity.
Her winning work, PARLOUR, was selected by the judging panel – made up of ACMI’s Katrina Sedgwick, ACCA’s Hannah Presley and VCA’s Raafat Ishak – after a full day of judging 33 shortlisted works spanning a range of mediums.
They recognised Evans as an important artist at a significant point in her practice, and found themselves lost in the “complex storytelling that requires a sustained viewing” of her award-winning photograph.
“The responsibility she takes for her history is something deeply embedded in the power of the work”, they continued.
Evans is an interdisciplinary artist, working in video, photography, sculpture and installation who began her creative life creating large political murals in the 1980s. Her socially engaged career has spanned several decades and practices with her work featured in exhibitions and publications nationally and internationally.
The panel also selected Dogs of the West by Justine McAllister, the light-hearted winner of the Street Art category, and mum & me by Natalie Krcevinac, a multi-layered video work for the Tertiary category from a shortlist of 3 and 22 artworks respectively. Independent creative producer, Simon Spain, selected the winners of the young artist categories from over 160 artworks.
The biennial prize is a unique collaboration between Victoria University, Maribyrnong City Council, Footscray Community Arts Centre and the Rotary Club of Footscray, who share a commitment to demonstrating and promoting creativity, cultural achievements and the arts. It is the second iteration of the Prize, which first opened in 2017.
The winning artwork along with other shortlisted entrants is on display now at Footscray Community Arts Centre, 45 Moreland Street, Footscray.
The winners and shortlisted works in the tertiary and young artist categories are on display at VU at MetroWest, 138 Nicholson Street, Footscray.
These exhibitions are free and open until 20 July.
For more information about the exhibition visit www.footscrayartprize.com.
