Aboriginal photographer/videographer and artist has been awarded what is considered one of the most prestigious Australian art accolades: 2009 NAIDOC - "Artist of the Year".
In front of more than a thousand people at the Brisbane Convention Centre Wayne accepted his award from Bangarra artistic director Stephe Page and said "I am very honoured to be nominated for 'Artist of Year', but to win is overwhelming. This award signifies that we as a people respect all art forms and are as progressive as any race when it comes to preserving our cultural heritage while embracing new practices." Wayne Quilliam has been a Premiere Portfolio Member at absolutearts.com since 2001.
Quilliam continued, "I would like to thank every Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person that has helped me become the person I am, for sharing stories and experiences most people only dream of. I would like to thank my family, mum and dad for their guidance and unwavering support, my brother Mick who is an amazing artist in his own right and my beautiful sister Nicole. It was fantastic to have my eldest son Nathan at the awards with me and we were thinking of my other son Aaron back in Tasmania and their children. Most importantly my amazing wife Jodie who encouraged me to chase my dream at whatever cost, this award is as much for her as for me. And of course my little girl Tanisha, the last 9 months has inspired me to greater goals".
Wayne Quilliam is considered one of Australia's most prominent Aboriginal photographic artists working on the global stage with more than 130 solo and group exhibitions in Australia, Europe, Asia and the USA, 35 in the past 18 months. His recent shows in Berlin and Vienna attracted capacity crowds and were extended for 3 months and featured on BBC television. It was estimated his "Sorry - more than a Word" exhibition at Parliament House in Canberra was seen by more than two hundred thousand people. His "Gatherings" exhibition open at the National Museum at the beginning of July 2009 and will open two more in Australia and one in Japan during September and October 2009.
Wayne recently travelled to Mexico with his international show "Lowanna" opened by the Australian Ambassador to Mexico, which is now included in the permanent Australian Embassy Collection. He visited Posta Rica as the Australian Art Ambassador and Photographer for the Cumbre Tajin Festival a traditional Mexican festival attended by more than a quarter of a million people. He also flew to Bolivia to work with the traditional people to develop images for a global campaign charity campaign. He also developed the imaging for the "Close the Gap" Campaign and works with the Fred Hollows Foundation.
His unique style encompasses the spiritual and artistic dimensions of Aboriginal culture and his art is transformed through traditional and modern practices including developing a world first technique that infuses the artwork with traditional ochre's and plant dyes. He won the 2008 "Human Rights Award" for his work on the "Apology" with the Koori Mail and was a finalist in the prestigious Walkley Awards for a social documentary on the "block" in Redfern, Sydney.
His Australian shows include Boscia Gallery, Fibre Gallery, Gasworks Gallery, 101 Collins St, W15/Melbourne, Melbourne Central, Rialto Tower, Melbourne Town Hall, Incinerator Gallery, Manningham Gallery, Grenfell Gallery, Garma Gallery, Portrait Gallery, Sydney Opera House, Dreaming Festival, Melbourne Cricket Ground and Parliament House in Canberra.
View more of Wayne Quilliam's work in his portfolio at absolutearts.com. http://www.absolutearts.com/waynequilliam
IMAGE
Wayne Quilliam
Title: Jump by Wayne Quilliam
Year Created: 2006
Medium: Photography Cibachrome
Width: 40 cm
Height: 60 cm
Edition Size: Original
Price: US$ 1000
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