‘the churchie’ and the IMA are excited to announce the winner of the churchie national emerging art prize 2019. Congratulations Nadia Hernández, the recipient of the non-acquisitive $15,000 cash prize donated by long-standing sponsor of ‘the churchie’, BSPN Architecture. The winner was selected by Amy Barrett-Lennard, Director of Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts and announced at the exhibition opening on Friday night.
Nadia Hernández’ paper-cut works Remezcla #2 (Remix #2) (2019) and Remezcla #3 (Remix #3) (2019) depict a series of colourful vignettes that portray current political tensions, past resistance movements, acts of defiance, celebration, and technology-based connection as a way to speak of the artist’s own diasporic experience. Hernández was born in Mérida, Venezuela and lives and works in Sydney. She studied at the Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 2008. Her visual arts practice is informed by the current political climate of her home country and her diasporic experience as a Venezuelan woman living abroad. Articulated through textiles, paper constructions, painting, sound, installation and sculpture, her identity allows her, or perhaps encourages her, to create work that negotiates complex political narratives through the personal, the institutional, and their intersections.
2019 Judge Amy Barrett-Lennard commented that, “Nadia Hernández’ paper-cut collages combined technical surety with dynamic story-telling in a visually arresting portrayal of personal and political histories and lived experiences.”
The winner of the Special Commendation Award valued at $5,000, sponsored by Fardoulys Constructions, was awarded to Ben Soedradjit for his acrylic paintings on board; Campur (or the ultimate paradox of cultural authenticity), Nosedive (Sydney to Denpasar) and Perkawinan (Kind of hard to believe). Two artists each received Commendation Prizes valued at $1,000 each, sponsored by Rob and Roz Whiteley, Sarah Poulgrain for her work, A Set of New Skills, and Shireen Taweel for her hand-pierced copper installation, Razing Legacy.
The People’s Choice Award will be drawn at the end of the exhibition period, to be voted on by gallery visitors. The winner will receive a $3,000 prize, sponsored by Rob Whiteley of Madison Cleaning Services. All voters will go into the draw to win one night’s accommodation at The Calile Hotel and bed linen by Jardan.
The work of all nineteen finalists will be on display at the IMA until 21 December 2019.
Image: Nadia Hernandez, Remezcla #3 (Remix #3), paper cut, 71cm x 90cm. Courtesy of the artist and Blackartprojects, Melbourne.
