Celebrated as an accomplished Indigenous artist and inspirational leader in her community, Keturah Zimran was last week acknowledged for her service to the visual arts with the Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division, a moment of celebration for her residing Art Centre, Ikuntji Artists.
The Australia Day 2023 Honours List recognises and celebrates 1,047 recipients, including 736 in the General Division of the Order of Australia and awards for meritorious, distinguished and conspicuous service.
"Keturah comes from a family of established artists and her style is bold and unique, full of colour and big story," said the Ikuntji Artists team.
Coming from a long line of established artists, Zimran began painting professionally in 2005 and is known for her distinctive and bold style. Her artworks and artistic pieces have been exhibited and included in several local, regional, national and international art institutions, including Parliament House.
With Zimran's grandmother Narputta Nangala Jugadia being a founding member of Ikuntji Artists , this love for art was evidently passed down to Zimran.
"When I was little, I would watch my grandmother and mother paint. It was when I was young, I realized I wanted to paint", said artist Keturah Zimran.
"My grandmother used to say to me when I was younger: "One day you will paint." She told me to not go wrong and to look after myself and go strong."
Zimran's solo painting exhibitions include 'Put yourself in my shoes', 'Puli – Rocks' and Nyarrumparra'. These have all been significantly successful within both her community and the broader art industry.
Zimran's works have been featured in various prestigious group exhibitions, including the Vincent Lingiari Award Exhibition 'Our Country – True Story' in 2019, the Ikuntji Artists – Irrimatitja at the Japingka Gallery in 2018, and Power and Colour, the 34th Annual San Francisco Tribal and Textile Art Show, in 2018.
In addition to having her work featured in several established galleries and venues, Zimran has also received international recognition for her artwork. In 2017, Zimran received the Moreton Bay Art Award as well as the Centralian Art Award from the Central Australian Art Society at the Araluen Arts Centre in Alice Springs. Zimran also went on and was awarded the Artist in Residence at Brisbane's International Education Services in 2017.
Since joining the Ikuntji Artists not for profit Aboriginal art centre, Zimran has grown to become a significantly successful and respected artist within both her community and Australia. The team at Ikuntji Artists are thrilled to have been able to work with her on producing a variety of standout artworks.
"We are so proud of this recognition and celebration of Keturah, her work and community", said the Ikuntji Artists team.
When discussing her passion for arts and paintings, artist Keturah Zimran states this is something she hopes to do forever.
"When I look at my paintings, I feel happy. My mother and I were closer when I was painting; I wish to be always able to paint", she said.
For more information on artist Keturah Zimran, visit www.ikuntji.com.au
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