Six outstanding Western Australian artists have been given a once in a lifetime opportunity with a share in $220,000 from the State Government to help develop their practice to an international level.
Acting Culture and the Arts Minister John Castrilli said it was important to note that these fellowships would promote Western Australian art to an international audience.
The Creative Development and Visual Arts and Craft Mid-Career Fellowships will help artists across a variety of mediums including dance, jewellery, visual arts, photography, sculpture and leather and bronze artworks.
"Each of the submissions received were of a remarkably high calibre and, due to the once in a lifetime nature of these fellowships, applicants were required to prove that they are established artists who are in a position to spend a concentrated period of time focused on their professional and creative development," Mr Castrilli said.
"All of these artists have demonstrated this and I look forward to their continued contribution to WA."
Senior WA jeweller Felicity Peters will receive $60,000 to travel to San Francisco to study granulation, a technique which is rarely used in Australia, and will showcase her work at a solo exhibition in Poland.
"The solo show in Poland will give my work greater exposure on an international level and could lead to further networking and artist-in-residence positions for myself, as well as opportunities for WA jewellers," Ms Peters said.
The Creative Development Fellowships and Visual Arts and Craft Mid-Career Fellowships are assessed by a peer panel comprised of senior practitioners and may only be awarded once in an artist's lifetime.
Minister's office - 9213 6600
CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS
Two applications were supported to a total amount of $120,000
FELICITY BOT - $60,000
GREENMOUNT
The applicant is an accomplished and respected dancer and choreographer who has worked as an artistic director for over ten years. Her choreographic work is highly regarded and she has received six Helpmann Award nominations. During the three stages of her Creative Development Fellowship, the artist will develop and explore dance performance and video projection, and the creation of a cyber studio/atelier. The artist's work has a strong academic focus and she will be working with some excellent mentors/collaborators, with skills across a range of disciplines.
FELICITY PETERS - $60,000
WEMBLEY DOWNS
This is a challenging proposal from a senior WA jeweller with an international reputation. The Fellowship will allow the applicant to develop her practice by studying a 3D jewellery CAD program and undertaking an 18ct gold granulation workshop with a Master Goldsmith in San Francisco. The artist has also been invited to exhibit and participate as guest of honour at the 2009 Silver Art Festival in Poland and in late 2009, to present a solo show at the highly prestigious Lesley Craze Gallery in London. Both exhibitions have strong potential to enhance her international profile.
VISUAL ARTS AND CRAFTS MID CAREER FELLOWSHIP RECIPIENTS
Four applications were supported to a total amount of $100,000.
JO DARBYSHIRE - $25,000
MAYLANDS
This is an excellent proposal from a talented practitioner whose work has shown consistently strong development. The artist has recently increased her national profile by being selected as a finalist in a number of major art awards. This proposal will give her the opportunity to develop a catalogue for two solo exhibitions; the first in association with Johnston Gallery in Perth in March 2009 and the second at Summit Fine Art in Calgary, Canada. Ms Darbyshire will also use the opportunity to build upon and develop contacts made in Europe and Canada in 2007.
BRAD RIMMER - $25,000
CITY BEACH
The applicant is an accomplished WA photographer who has participated in numerous local, national and international solo and group exhibitions. The project is timely and will give the artist an opportunity to produce a major photographic publication, which can be used to attract further interest and exhibitions. The book will be launched at FotoFreo 2010, with a major essay by the distinguished photography curator, Susan Bright.
ALWIN REAMILLO - $25,000
BEACONSFIELD
This respected artist has an exciting and eclectic cross cultural practice traversing Australia and Asia, comprised of international residencies, collaborations and exhibitions. The proposal includes the production of a major monograph documenting the artist's work over two decades and the development of a website and virtual gallery. Mr Reamillo participated in the 1995 Venice Biennale, has had numerous overseas exhibitions and is a 2003 National Sculpture Prize finalist.
TANIJA AND GRAHAM CARR - $25,000
BOYA
This is a strong proposal from two highly regarded WA artists who have worked collaboratively since the early 1980s, producing very distinctive leather artworks. The applicants intend to develop their practice by creating bronze castings and incorporating these into their leather forms. Tanija and Graham Carr have a significant international following, having participated in numerous solo and group exhibitions in the USA, Hong Kong, Seoul, Canberra, Darwin and Perth.
