Two luminary visual arts professionals will be celebrated this evening with Visual Arts Awards from the Australia Council for the Art.
AusCo Chief Executive Officer Tony Grybowski noted that Professor Fiona Foley and Queensland curator, writer and broadcaster Julie Ewington had made substantial contributions to the visual arts sector for many years and inspired other artists and arts professionals in Australia and overseas.
“It is important that we acknowledge the pioneering work of artists and arts professionals like Fiona and Julie, who make Australian visual arts such a vibrant and stimulating artform,” Mr Grybowski said.
Professor Foley noted the first Visual Arts Award was given in 1987 and since then four recipients had beenAboriginal, with the first Aboriginal artist, Paddy Lilipiyana, winning in 1992.
Professor Foley said. Coming in the same week as her 50th birthday the award is a timely acknowledgement of her significant achievements to date.
Julie Ewington’s contribution has been significant, particularly given her leading role at QAGOMA since 1987. She said, “This award is especially wonderful because it is coming from my peers. It will sustain and encourage me for my future work.”
Past winners include Tracey Moffatt and Juliana Enberg in 2012 and Fiona Hall and Ron Radford in 2011.