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This year, the Alice Prize is presented in its 39th incarnation, with entries from across the country, representing a full range of medium, style and theme.
On Friday 15 April, Queensland artist Naomi Hobson was selected from a pool of 68 finalists from across Australia and was announced the winner of the 39th Alice Prize 2016 for her work entitled, High Pine (2016).
Prize judge and Director of Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery Of Modern Art, Chris Saines CNZM said: “Naomi Hobson is one of a new generation of contemporary Indigenous artists who is beginning to make her mark nationally. High Pine is a compelling example of her approach to painting country – for all its painterly and abstract life its visual cues and palette are insistently local.”
Naomi Hobson was inspired to become an artist by the desire to capture the beauty of her country. The colours and pattern of nature itself motivate her, as do the stories from the past, the unique transformation of the land over the seasons and special places that are etched in her memory. It is through art that Hobson aims to reflect and share her stories, culture and country in a contemporary way.
Colours play an important role in Naomi Hobson’s paintings, with the artist always looking out for different shades and colourations. The colours Hobson utilises often reflect her mood and the feelings she gets from particular places on her traditional lands. The artist uses an abundance of paint in her works, sometimes creating layers upon layers until she is satisfied with the texture and the desired effect like the emerging colours and the contradiction effect of drying layered colours. The act of splashing, brushing, dripping or rolling colours onto canvas bring Hobson great joy.
Hobson’s Prize-winning artwork is acquired by the Art Foundation, held in trust by the Alice Springs Town Council at the Araluen Art Centre for the continuing enjoyment by the people of Central Australia and their visitors.
Previous winners of the Alice Prize include: Deborah Paauwe, Janet Lawrence, Mandy Martin and Ginger Riley Munduwalawala. Hobson has said this award has come at a significant time for her as she is at a pivotal moment of development in her practice.
The 39th Alice Prize exhibition is now open at Araluen Arts Centre, Alice Springs. Naomi Hobson currently has work in the significant group show ‘Provenance Does Matter: The Collectors’ Exhibition’ at Alcaston Gallery until April 30, 2016.
The 39th Alice Prize 2016
Araluen Arts Centre
Until 13 June, 2016
Northern Territory
Naomi Hobson, High Pine, 2015, synthetic polymer paint on linen, 200 x 200cm
Alice Springs Art Foundation Collection, Araluen Arts and Cultural Centre, Alice Springs, Northern Territory, Australia
© the Artist and Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne
