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Local Artist Shortlisted For 2012 Victorian Indigenous Art Awards Nationals Member for Morwell Russell Northe today congratulated Gloria Whalan from Yallourn North on being one of twenty artists shortlisted for prizes totalling more than $50,000 as part of the Victorian Government’s By Russell Northe - 30th January 2012 - Back to News 2012 Victorian Indigenous Art Awards.
Announced this week by Premier and Minister for the Arts Ted Baillieu, the Victorian Indigenous Art Awards play an important role in celebrating and promoting the work of the State’s Indigenous artists and our unique Koorie culture.
Mr Northe said 27 works were selected from 132 entries for this year’s awards, with local artist Ms Whalan shortlisted as a finalist for her two works, "Guulaangga the Frog" and "A Night of Remembrance".
"Gloria has had a number of achievements with her artwork, including a display at the 23rd Toyota Community Spirit Gallery exhibition, PaRing Gallery in 2012," said Mr Northe.
"To be shortlisted for the Indigenous Art Awards is a fantastic achievement for Gloria and I wish her the very best of luck for the finals."
Mr Baillieu said the shortlisted artists worked across a variety of mediums, from traditional painting and weaving techniques to photography, sculpture, video and street art.
"There are many voices and many generations of Indigenous artists in Victoria working to uphold traditions and to express their culture in new and distinct ways," Mr Baillieu said.
The awards, which give prizes across five categories, are open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists living in Victoria and, now in their seventh year, profile the diversity of Indigenous arts practice in Victoria and showcase the uniqueness of south-east Australian Aboriginal art.
This year’s finalists include both regional and metropolitan artists, past winners and several who have not been shortlisted before. Seven of the shortlisted artists have two artworks on the shortlist.
The finalists were selected by an expert judging panel comprising Dr Treahna Hamm, an Aboriginal artist; Clinton Nain, a Torres Strait Islander artist; and Jason Smith, Director of Heide Museum of Art.
The winners of the 2012 Victorian Indigenous Art Awards will be announced on 9 March 2012 and the finalist exhibition will be open to the public from 10 to 31 March 2012 at the awards partner gallery, fortyfivedownstairs at 45 Flinders Lane, Melbourne.
Details of the award categories are attached and for more information visit the Victorian Indigenous Art Awards blog: www.indigenousartawards.com.au
Media: Russell Northe 0408 22 55 23 / Julia Auciello 51339088
Images and artist interview requests: Ben Starick (Starling Communications – Awards publicist) 0411 029 393
Source: http://gippsland.com/ Published by: news@gippsland.com

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Trafalgar BMX track has reopened following a $26,000 upgrade, featuring reshaped jumps, straights and berms, improved drainage and enhanced safety. Council says the works will support active recreation and the growing local BMX community. - Darren Chester demands urgent Labor investment to fix dangerous Princes Highway and Gippsland arterial roads
Darren Chester urged Labor governments to urgently fund Gippsland roads, citing dangerous conditions, poor maintenance and reduced investment while highlighting previous Coalition funding for highway and arterial road upgrades. - East Gippsland planning roadshow brings expert advice to Mallacoota residents, improving access to local services
East Gippsland Shire Council's Planning Roadshow will visit Mallacoota on August 17, offering residents face-to-face planning advice, permit guidance and access to the new AI-powered myLot planning tool. - Danny O'Brien calls for urgent action on ongoing Gippsland power outages impacting residents, businesses and critical services
The Nationals' Danny O'Brien is calling on the Victorian government to demand answers from electricity providers over repeated Gippsland outages disrupting residents, businesses and critical medical equipment. - Labor government criticised over regional childcare shortages, workforce gaps and red tape following parliamentary inquiry findings
A Victorian parliamentary inquiry found regional childcare providers face severe workforce shortages, vacant places, growing waitlists and excessive red tape, with Melina Bath calling for stronger accountability and practical solutions. - Regional Development $750,000 investment expands employment and education support for 120 Latrobe Valley young people through 2028
The Victorian government is investing a further $750,000 in the Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley Program, supporting 120 young people with employment, education, training and independence opportunities through 2028. - Melina Bath accused Labor of ignoring bird flu advice and delaying vaccinations for Victoria's vulnerable little penguin colonies
The Victorian government is accused of ignoring expert advice to proactively vaccinate little penguins against H5N1, delaying action until after infection was detected, potentially leaving colonies vulnerable. - Labor government invests $750,000 to support young Gippslanders into education, training and employment opportunities
The Victorian Labor government is investing $750,000 in Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley, supporting 120 young people facing barriers to education, training and employment through 2028.
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