Blacktown Arts places First Nations artists and communities at the heart of what we do.
We have a long history of platforming First Nations artists and acquiring artworks from across the country for the Blacktown City Art Collection.
One of our most recent acquisitions is the iconic 6-meter Rainbow Serpent by Elder Danny Eastwood from his 2023 exhibition, I Talk Through My Art and My Art Talks Through Me.
As part of the 2024 Blacktown City Art Prize, special consideration was given to artworks that celebrated, expressed and reflected upon the diverse, history, environment and First Nations stories of the area.
See the First Nations awards and submissions from this year’s Prize below:
Image: Loss of Identity/Culture by Nathan Dawson, photography by Jennifer Leahy, silversalt Photography
First Nations Main Prize Winner
Loss of Cultural Identity by Nathan Dawson.
Nathan Dawson is a Gomeroi artist whose practice combines urban surrealism mixed with sexuality, gender and identity, showing the reality of people who are ‘falling through the cracks’ of life.
“The theme behind this work [is] ‘loss of identity and culture’ and the attempted cultural genocide of Indigenous Australian Peoples.
I used an old photo I have where [my mum] was dressed up with a pretty white dress and ribbons. I wonder how much of her culture she knew.”
– Nathan Dawson
Image: Red Soil of Blacktown by Jack and Noel, photography by Jennifer Leahy, silversalt Photography
Local Artist Prize Highly Commended
Red Soil of Blacktown by Jack and Noel.
Artists Jack (Barkandji) and Noel (Wiradjuri) are both inmates at Parklea’s Correctional Centre. They created a joint work that represents the landscape of Blacktown, the city’s first inhabitants, their lore, its white settlers and how we are all connected.
“This painting represents the red soil of Blacktown. In the centre is a symbol of the fire. The spirits represent a smoking ceremony surrounded by a camp site.
The black hands represent the first inhabitants of Blacktown with the rainbow serpent weaving over and under the hands representing how we are all connected.
Also, inside the rainbow serpent is the making of the mountains, foothills, water holes, creeks and rivers and the shape of our lands. The white hands symbolize the white settlers.”
– Jack and Noel
Image: That Place They Had (Part 1) by Jacqueline Jacky, photography by Jennifer Leahy, silversalt Photography
First Nations Prize Highly Commended
That Place They Had (Part 1) by Jacqueline Jacky
Jacqueline Jacky is a proud Gamilaroi and Dunghutti woman born and raised in Sydney.
Her textile submission explores Jacky’s Indigenous identity through her mother’s storytelling, Vicki Rose Winters Green. To tell these stories, Jacky used items from her family archives, particularly relating to the women in her family, to create this work.
“I reflect on the celebration of Blacktown City’s diversity through memories of growing up in the western suburbs which harbours a diversity of communities which made me feel at home as a young child.”
– Jacqueline Jacky
Image: This colony thrives in a landscape of NO by Virginia Keft, photography by Jennifer Leahy, silversalt Photography
Main Prize Highly Commended
This colony thrives in a landscape of NO by Virginia Keft
Dr. Virginia Keft is a Murriwarri artist, performer, and researcher. Her work celebrates connections to place, community, and language.
Virginia’s practice includes painting, drawing, weaving, sculpture and sound art and is a powerful statement on the resilience of tradition.
“The Indigenous Voice to Parliament referendum was difficult and traumatic for Australian Indigenous peoples and communities.
This work begins to unpack the complexities of reconciliation in this landscape of NO, while proclaiming the strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; our culture, our stories, our voices.”
– Virginia Keft
We congratulate all the First Nations finalists:
The Bankstown Koori Elders, Big sister and Little Sister.
Carmel Mackie, Banksia Spinulosa (Birthday Candles).
Bindi Bindi Art (Chloe Eastwood and Tay-la Shearley), Cultural Threads of Blacktown.
Leanne Jones, The Darug story of the 3 sisters song lines.
Willowa Anna Carter, Intergenerational Trauma – Chainstitch 1.
To view the Opening Event photo album visit: https://bit.ly/49kSJ5v