The Discord of Art: Kimberley Art Awards 2015

There was something to activate all the senses. Given that Derby is the heart land of the Kimberley Art Awards, Wandjinas made up many of the entries and watched over the awards prominently from the main wall. Indigenous art forms thousands of years old sat along-side contemporary works from non Indigenous artists. While the collection of work was dramatically diverse they all shared a universal quality. Each of them, when viewed individually, reflected the Kimberley in some way.
It is very rare that an art award doesn’t court some form of controversy and the 2015 Kimberley Art Awards did not disappoint those who love discord. For the first time in its 45 year history the Judge was unable to choose a clear winner and awarded the acquisitive prize equally to two separate artists. Sonia Kurarra of Fitzroy Crossing’s painting entitled ‘Martuwarra’ was dramatically different to Broome artist Craig Rochford’s ‘Flying Change’. Kurarra and Rochford will share equally in the $10,000 prize. Overall the 2015 Kimberley Art Award served its purpose in show-casing the breadth and depth of talent within the Kimberley visual arts community.
Originally Published as Local Aesthetic in the Broome Advertiser 14 July 2015
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