Rockhampton Museum of Art
14th Oct 2023 - 26th Nov 2023
Installation view, 'The Bayton Award 2023', Rockhampton Museum of Art, 2023, Resonance of Freedom, 2023, Paulownia wood, Mulberry Paper, ink, Synthetic hair, Strings, Wire. 65 x 80 x 55. Image courtesy the artist Photo: Nathan White Images.
"Resonance of Freedom", Winning the 2023 Burnie Print Prize
I am honoured that my work,'Resonance of Freedom', has received the judge's, Hamish Sawyer, as the winner amongst many strong entries.
Many thanks to Rockhampton Regional Council for supporting artists and their heartfelt acknowledgment on the message of this work on the night. Many thanks to Rockhampton Museum of Art director Jonathan McBurnie, Emily Wakeling curator and RMOA team for the beautiful event, to the selecting panel Freja Carmichael and Stephen Bird, to the judge Hamish Sawyer for his invaluable recognition, to the warm acknowledgment of Bruce Heiser, to endless support of my peers at Capricornia Printmakers, and every one who has reached and congratulated me but more importantly heard the message of women’s resistance, need for freedom and a lasting peace.
From the Judge Hamish Sawyer
Judge Hamish Sawyer said Niloufar’s work was “a potent symbol of artistic freedom and self-expression, the decorated sitar, delicately balanced on a ponytail speaks to the oppression of women in Iran, and around the world. Its elegantly precarious form acts as a powerful reminder of female resistance, hope, and solidarity.”
The Bayton Award
The Bayton Award is an art prize and exhibition open to all forms of art media created by Central Queensland artists supported by Rockhampton Regional Council. This Award has been named in honour of the Right Reverend John Bayton AM for his significant contribution to the development of the Rockhampton Art Gallery collection. Installed as Dean of Rockhampton in 1968 and an artist in his own right, Rt Rev Bayton was the Chair of the Gallery’s Art Acquisition Fund in 1975. The work was chosen from 44 entries created by 39 artists residing in the Central Queensland region by judge Hamish Sawyer, a curator, writer, and Acting Director for NorthSite in Gimuy/Cairns.
Links
Many thanks to:
-Rockhampton Regional Council for supporting artists
-Rockhampton Museum of Art curatorial team for their support and fantastic event
-Esteemed judge Hamish Sawyer for his invaluable recognition
-Capricornia Printmakers Inc members for their love and wisdom
-JCU art teachers, Patrick Connor and Carmen Gray for their ongoing support
-And to my family and friends, here and abroad, that their enthusiast in my creations have been priceless.