A year of recognition for the Artists of the Barkly

2024 has been a year of wider and much-deserved recognition for the Artists of Barkly collective, who saw multiple works by various artists nominated in art prizes all over the country, with artworks travelling all the way from the Barkly to South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales and the Top End. 

The art prize season kicked off with Rita Beasley's shortlist for the Small Works Art Prize at Brunswick Street Gallery in Melbourne, Vic. Jessie Peterson's work depicting her grandfather's dreaming story and women's ceremonial paint left quite an impression with the judging panel for the Ravenswood Australian Women's Art Prize in Gordon, NSW as a strong contender for the Indigenous emerging artist category with the prize ultimately going to our Barkly region peers over at Arlpwe Art Centre. 

Jessie Peterson's work at Ravenswood Art Prize

In addition to this, Epenarra artist Gladys Lewis was nominated for the Omnia Art Prize in Melbourne, Vic. Canteen Creek artist Agnes Rubuntja's highly detailed work featuring local tucker and traditional medicine was showcased at the Fleurieu Prize in South Australia. 

Celebrated Tennant Creek artist Aileen Long was nominated for the Telstra NATSIAAs in Darwin, Northern Territory, marking Aileen's very first nomination for an art prize and Barkly Regional Arts' very first entry into the NATSIAAs. Pay the nominated works a visit, which are being exhibited at the Museum and Gallery of Northern Territory until the 27th of January, 2025. 

Aileen Long's "Wanakaji" at the Telstra NATSIAAs

With the artists creating increasingly exceptional artworks, it can confidently be said that these nominations are only the beginning and Barkly Regional Arts couldn't be more excited to see and share what's in store for our artists in the future!