Search the Community

First awarded in 1921, the Archibald, Australia’s most recognised art prize, is judged by the trustees of the Art Gallery of NSW and awarded annually to the best portrait, “preferentially of some man or woman distinguished in art, letters, science or politics, painted by any artist resident in Australasia”. Tjungkara Ken, from Amata from Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands (APY) in South Australia’s far North West, decided to paint a self potrait and enter the competition ; Its her 'country' her 'dreaming' as she explained . I am not just what you see here , I am part of that country and that dreaming. Any portrait of myself should show all of me . not just what you see here . ( In the interview filmed at a place that isnt her 'homeland' . . Some have said it isnt a portrait but a landscape . Apparently the art judges didnt think so and accepted it . This year, nine APY Lands artists are among the 42 finalists for the Wynne, which is held concurrently with the Archibald Prize. Their art seems to be taking off . Tjungkara Ken