16/12/04
Painters, dancers, musicians, a photographer, a craftsman and an architect are among 12 senior artists honoured today as State Living Treasures for their lifetime contribution to arts and culture.
Culture and the Arts Minister Sheila McHale presented the second State Living Treasures Awards, introduced in 1998 to some of Western Australia's most significant cultural contributors.
"The awards celebrate the diversity, talent and richness of these artists who have chosen to make WA their home, or who have made WA places, people and experiences central to their work," Ms McHale said.
"It is the personal integrity of these artists and the incredible contribution which their work makes to our community and national identity, that makes them such treasures."
Originating in Japan, Living Treasure awards are presented in many parts of the world.
The treasures are:
- Alan Alder, dancer, of Maylands
- Dr Lucette Aldous, dancer, of Maylands
- Janangoo Butcher Cherel, painter and printmaker, of Fitzroy Crossing
- Jimmy Chi, playwright and musician, of Broome
- Professor Jeffrey Howlett AM, architect, of Claremont
- Tom Hungerford AM, writer, of Bentley
- Doris Pilkington Garimara, writer, of Armadale
- Dr Carol Rudyard, painter, of West Leederville
- Professor Roger Smalley, musician and composer, of Darlington
- Leonard 'Jack' Williams, indigenous custodian and craftsman, of Albany
- Richard Woldendorp, photographer, of Darlington
- Fay Zwicky, writer and poet, of Claremont.
The treasures were selected by a reference panel chaired by Professor Ted Snell, Dean of Art at the John Curtin Centre at Curtin University of Technology.
Artists selected attained an exceptional level of artistic skill and ability which has advanced their art form, influenced and developed other artists and demonstrated long-term involvement in the arts in WA.
The Department of Culture and the Arts will again record the awards program and the recipients' outstanding lives and work in a commemorative book to be published in 2005.
Minister's office: 9213 6900
