About this Event
Step into a world of artistic excellence at SOBAH Beverages’ and Birrunga Gallery's 2024 18-Piece Archibald, Wynne, and Sulman Showcase Opening!
Each year, the CCDP cohort produces an Archibald, Sulman, and Wynne prize entry as part of the curriculum. In 2024, the CCDP cohort submitted 6 Archibald entries, 6 Sulman entries, and 6 Wynne entries. These submissions are now back from Sydney, about to be exhibited at SOBAH HQ and available to purchase.
This year we are really delighted to be touring the show beginning with the full 18 piece showcase in SOBAH’s amazing gallery space.
Birrunga Wiradyuri and Kane Brunjes’ annual return to the Archibald, Wynne, and Sulman competition is eagerly anticipated. Both artists have previously received accolades for their work in other prizes as finalists and/or category winners.
Joining them are Naomi Green, Jessica Skeen, Tiesha Martin, and Jemma Stewart, artists from Birrunga Gallery's CCDP, making their debut in the competitions. While they may be new to this event, their unique artistic styles and innovative approaches have already grabbed many people’s attention, marking them as artists to watch. Jemma’s Archi entry comes off the back of her success as a finalist in the 2023 equivalent in the Brisbane Portrait Prize.
The inclusion of these artists in the competition reflects the vibrant diversity of talent within the community. Their participation not only adds to the richness of the artistic landscape but also highlights the importance of platforms like the Archibald, Wynne, and Sulman competition in showcasing and celebrating emerging and established Indigenous Australian Artists alike.
Experience the awe-inspiring talents of our Indigenous Artists as they unveil their exceptional works, each piece a testament to their creativity and skill. This event is not just for art enthusiasts; it's a celebration of our Artists' dedication and achievements. Be captivated by the diversity of styles and narratives portrayed in the artworks, each telling a unique story. This is your chance to support our artists and witness their brilliance up close. Don't miss this remarkable event that promises to ignite your passion for art and creativity.
Mark your calendars and join us for an unforgettable evening of native foods, SOBAH beverages, art and culture. See you there!
My focus for these pieces is to explore the stories of our ancestors, family, and express the weight of societal expectations on young people. Through these works I aim to shed light on these narratives, to honour our roots, challenge norms, and inspire reflection.
-Jemma Stewart
This is my first time in the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman prize. I really enjoyed painting for this prize. Each piece holds a significant meaning to me and are all connected to my country (Bundjalung). In each piece I wanted to talk about our connection to country, law/lore, rights for our people and the history our country holds. I am so happy to have also include my mother into this exhibition, a lot of the things I have learnt have been through her teachings and she has been the person that has pushed me to stay connected all these years. I am really proud of this collection of artworks and hope they can educate people more on the history of our people and how proud people should be to have such a deadly culture in Australia.
-Tiesha Martin
In my artistic journey, the exploration of the Archibald, Wynne, and Sulman artworks has propelled me beyond the boundaries of my comfort zone like never before. Previously uncharted territories of portraiture and landscape beckoned, challenging me to push my creative boundaries. Now, having completed these three pieces, I am proud to affirm that this endeavor has not only fostered profound creative growth but also imbued my artistic expression with newfound depth and richness.
I am grateful for the support of Birrunga and his knowledge in assisting me with technique suggestions and reassurance in trusting myself throughout this process.
-Jessica Skeen
These series of works reveal intricate and deeply personal narratives. They also mark a turning point in my artistic journey, signifying a newfound trust in the creative process, my abilities, and the guiding wisdom of my ancestors. They embody a spirit of experimentation, blending new and diverse media to push my artistic boundaries.
These pieces were painted during my maternity leave, while also caring for my now 7-month-old son who was often attached to me in his harness while I worked. Even now, he is clambering over me trying to ’help’ me asI typekjk. The creative process of these artworks thereby reflects the societal challenges faced by women-to nurture and raise children, care for the home and to work and create simultaneously.
The profound experiences and challenges of pregnancy, birth, breastfeeding, and motherhood resonate deeply in two of these works. The third piece, a portrait of Birrunga, serves as my expression of gratitude, to a mentor who has shaped not just my artistic development, but also my spiritual and cultural journey. Each of these works is a heartfelt expression of gratitude, growth, love and the enduring bonds of mentorship and motherhood.
-Naomi Geen
The approach to creating these works saw me divide intervals where the time spent painting would be narrowed into one piece rather than spending a day where I’d move from canvas to canvas.
The main focus was on the Archibald portrait so a lot of time was spent working on that piece while I’d think about the possibilities of the other two often in moments between being in the studio. The Sulman work was the first started although it sat aside and I’d wander back every so often and work towards an idea until it seemed it didn’t need the attention again. While the artwork for the Wynne came about from spending time in the space of the studio and having that time to mentally see design aspects and think of painting techniques that would help to visually bring the story to the canvas.
Working with Acrylic on canvas a main focus throughout all the works was the consideration of where I wanted the viewer to look. This gave direction to the process of creating the paintings, and has given ideas on how I might alter the focus of works to come through colour, shadow, and linework.
-Kane Brunjes
I’ve been producing works for these prizes since 2014 when I entered my portrait of the late, great Archie Roach. Whilst I didn’t make the finals that year (and my record remains intact) my work received some media attention through the NSW Gallery Society’s LOOK Magazine (Sept. 2014 edition) who published a 3 page feature which included Archie, his portrait and myself. That experience was the beginning of a friendship with one of the best, most generous, humble humans I’ve encountered. That experience and that friendship changed things for me forever, very much for the better. Nowadays when I produce works for the 3 prizes I have the absolute pleasure of being in the company a cohort of some of the most talented young story tellers I’ve ever had the privilege to not just know, but to work with in my family Lore of Story Telling. Each one of the CCDP artists to me hold the responsibility of developing their own path of walking in their Lore, responsibly and with care. They are all the very best examples to me, they challenge me and my practice by virtue of the overwhelming quality of their work and of how they carry themselves in community and in the industry. They are the examples that others will be and are currently inspired by. I am included in that cohort. Producing works for these 3 prizes with the CCDP cohort is my complete pleasure and honour to be included with them in the show each year as is delivering them in person to the loading dock of the NSW Gallery each year.
-Birrunga Wiradyuri
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
unit 1/314 Burleigh Connection Rd, 314 Burleigh Connection Road, Burleigh Heads, Australia
AUD 50.00
