Robyn Frances has been announced as the winner of the 2020 Portrait of a Senior Territorian Art Award for her work titled John.
The Darwin artist selected Woolwonga storyteller, John Scrutton, as her subject matter.
The pair has recently published The Real Map of Batchelor According to Me, a personal illustrated map of John’s family history. John grew up around Batchelor and is the grandson of well-known Aboriginal Territorian, Nellie Flynn.
Robyn is an artist with multi-disciplinary practice across drawing, painting, writing, installation, print making and illustrated texts.
The portrait salutes John’s quest to care for country for the sake of future generations.
“The Portrait of a Senior Territorian Art Award celebrates the significant achievements and contributions senior Territorians make to our community and recognises outstanding Northern Territory artists,” said Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Chansey Paech.
“Congratulations to the winners of this iconic Territorian art prize and to the wonderful subjects who have all made a significant contribution to the character and fabric of the NT.
“This year, the Award was hotly contested with 29 finalists so I pay tribute to our judges who had such a difficult task to choose the winners.”
Deepu Jose Kollannoor was awarded second prize for his portrait of Jennifer Dowling titled Jennifer, the Quest (pictured below) and Henry Smith was awarded third prize for his portrait of Eastern Arrernte woman Veronica Perrule Dobson AM.
The Portrait of a Senior Territorian Art Award, which has a $9,500 prize pool, recognises and celebrates the achievements and contributions senior Territorians have made, and continue to make, in the NT community.
This year’s judges included Marlene Rubuntja, Kieran Finnane and Chips Mackinolty.
Voting for the People’s Choice Award is still open with the winner to be announced on 12 March 2021. Votes can be made in person or online at https://nt.gov.au/leisure/arts-culture-heritage/events/portrait-of-a-senior-territorian-award/
Art enthusiasts will have the opportunity to view this year’s entries at an exhibition at the Araluen Arts Centre from today until 7 March 2021. The exhibition will also be available for viewing on the Araluen Arts Centre website, https://araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au/exhibitions/portrait-senior-territorian-art-award-2020.
For more information on the award, go to https://araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au/more/portrait-senior-territorian-art-award.