https://artcollector.net.au/betty-kuntiwa-pumani-takes-out-50k-painting-prize/

SALLY GABORI  All the fish Digital Facade, Federation Square, Melbourne  Yirramboi Festival  Launch: Wednesday 8th May, 6pm  Sally Gabori's All the Fish 2005 was brought to life on the big screen at Federation Square, coinciding with Yirramboi Festival.  Developed by Ramus in consultation with the Gabori Family and the Estate of the Artist, the artwork was digitally interpreted to evoke the visual storytelling techniques of Gabori's work. The animation was accompanied by a rare recording of Sally Gabori singing.

Congratulations to Betty Kuntiwa Pumani who has won the 2019 Len Fox Painting Award with her painting Antara. 

The Len Fox Painting Award is a $50,000 acquisitive prize awarded to a living Australian artist to commemorate the life and work of Emmanuel Phillips Fox (1865–1915).  The winner was announced last night at Castlemaine Art Museum by Judge Geoffrey Smith, Chairman of Sothebys Australia and Naomi Cass, Manager Castlemaine Art Museum.  

Judge Geoffrey Smith, Chairman Sotheby’s Australia, said “Betty Kuntiwa Pumani’s commanding composition Antara is a work of great power and beauty that invites us to engage, enquire and reflect. In celebrating the achievements and legacy of E.P. Fox, The Len Fox Painting Award 2019 could not find a more befitting recipient than Betty Kuntiwa Pumani’s magnificent landscape Antara 2018, depicting a ceremonial site in the far northwest of South Australia that reflects on the importance of keeping our land healthy and safe.” “I paint Antara, a ceremonial site close to Mimili on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands. Antara was my mother’s country. As a young girl, I would camp out at Antara with my mother and the other children. She taught us the importance of Maku Tjukurpa (witchetty grub songline), and how to keep country healthy. She showed us that if we look after Antara, we look after ourselves, keeping our spirits strong.

Today, I still visit Antara with my family. My daughter Marina helps me to collect mingkulpa (bush tobacco) and when the time is right, we find lots of maku (witchetty grubs).

The stories that have shaped the landscape are too big to capture, much remains invisible to the eyes. Anangu have a deep connection to the landscape and the power held within. When I paint, I reflect this connection, something that cannot be explained in any other way. I also think about my everyday relationship to Antara and the importance it holds for my community.

EP Fox also captures moments in everyday life and history. We have different ways of painting, but like him, I attempt to pass on the feeling of a moment and place.”  - Betty Kuntiwa Pumani, May 2019

LEN FOX PAINTING AWARD  CASTLEMAINE ART MUSEUM  8 JUNE - 1 SEPTEMBER 2019 

Congratulations to all the finalists in this years Wynne Prize.  judged by the trustees of the Art Gallery of New South Wales, The Wynne Prize is awarded annually for the best landscape painting of Australian scenery in oils or watercolours or for the best example of figure sculpture by Australian artists. 

WAWIRIYA BURTON, NELLIE COULTHARD, NONGGIRRNGA MARAWILI, BARBARA MBITJANA MOORE, PETER MUNGKURI, BETTY KUNTIWA PUMANI, YARITJI YOUNG

A big congratulations to Betty Kuntiwa Pumani who is a finalist in the award for the third consecutive year (and Winner in 2017).