From intimate moments to international residency: Arrernte and Kalkadoon artist claims sought-after prize

Jarred Cross Published March 15, 2023 at 6.00am (AWST)

nsw

Thea Anamara Perkins in her home. Image credit: Jacquie Manning (Art Gallery of NSW)

Arrernte and Kalkadoon artist Thea Anamara Perkins has grasped a coveted award and massive promotion for her creative work championing Australian women - and it's only just starting.

On Tuesday Perkins was awarded the 2023 La Prairie Art Award, co-presented by the Art Gallery of New South Wales and Swiss skincare house, La Prairie, for pieces capturing moments from her youth and three generations of family members now endured in the collection.

"My work delves into my family archives of photographs, and through the painting process, communicates the essence of these images. Fleeting, yet suspended in time, they are storied, and coloured by my own emotions and memories," Perkins said.

"They seek to express the love and strength in First Nations families and situate these instances of joy and belonging, or 'glimmers' into our collective imagination."

From the convening around a birthday cake, decades-old university graduations and days at the beach to a moment around an Mparntwe (Alice Springs) Telegraph Station, the artworks depict the culture and Country of this continent.

Soon, they'll find a new life overseas.

With the award, Perkins will take on an international residency for the development of a new body of work, later to be acquired by the Art Gallery, and attend the Art Basel international art fair in Switzerland this coming June as a VIP guest of La Prairie.

Being just the second-recipient, she said the platform it creates is an ethos worth backing.

"I believe it's crucial that artists are well supported to create their work. I'm really excited by the international residency with La Prairie," Perkins said.

"It's invaluable to have this opportunity to extend my practice internationally, especially as a First Nations artist."

Perkins is three-time Archibald Prize finalist, as well as Wynne Prize finalist and was a Brett Whiteley Travelling Art Scholarship recipient in 2021.

The awarded works are currently on display in the Art Gallery of NSW, and will continue with National 4: Australian Art Now collection from March through to July.