Senior Yankunytjatjara artist Vicki Yatjiki Cullinan has been announced as the winner of the Hadley’s Art Prize 2023, one of Australia’s richest art prizes worth AUS$100,000, for her work Ngayuku Ngura (My Country). The annual acquisitive art prize is awarded to the most outstanding portrayal of the Australian landscape.
I paint my Country, the beautiful and powerful Yankunytjatjara Country that I live on and that will always be a part of me. My painting is connected to the Tjukurpa (Ancestral Stories) that I know, but also my paintings are an extension of who I am, and how I interpret my place in the world.
Hadley’s Art Prize winner Vicki Yatjiki Cullinan
Cullinan’s work was selected out of the 30 finalists by an expert judging panel comprising one of Australia’s most acclaimed and awarded artists Wendy Sharpe AM, celebrated Tasmanian artist Milan Milojevic, and artist, curator, writer and Associate Professor at The University of Queensland, Dr Fiona Foley.
Vicki Yatjiki Cullinan, from Indulkana Community in South Australia, has over 20 years of experience in painting, printmaking and drawing. A highly respected leader in her community, Cullinan has in recent years turned her attention to mentoring the next generation of artists in skills development, cultural activities and strong governance, in her role as a director and cultural liaison officer at Iwantja Arts.
We are thrilled to award the 2023 Hadley’s Art Prize to Vicki Yatjiki Cullinan, and extend our congratulations to all of this year’s finalists. Now in its seventh year, Hadley’s Art Prize is built upon a legacy of supporting Australian artists, celebrating excellence in contemporary landscape art with one of the nation’s most generous prizes. We look forward to welcoming visitors to the Finalist’s Exhibition at Hadley’s Orient Hotel
Amy Jackett, Curator of Hadley’s Art Prize
The $10,000 Hadley’s Residency Prize was awarded to Melissa Kenihan (VIC), and Honourable Mentions were awarded to Joshua Andree (TAS), Patrick Mung Mung (WA), Joan Ross (NSW) and Denise Brady (NT).
The Finalists Exhibition is now open at Hadley’s Orient Hotel, Hobart from 22nd July – 20th August 2023.
A public program of events and talks will run alongside the exhibition, including a Comedian & Curator Tour with comedian Luke McGregor on 29 July. More information on the public program here.
About
Established by Hadley’s Orient Hotel, Hobart in 2017, the Hadley’s Art Prize is one of Australia’s most lucrative art awards offering $100,000 to the winning entry. Presented by Hadley’s Orient Hotel, the annual acquisitive award seeks to contribute to the Tasmanian and Australian art scene, generating interest in cultural tourism and promoting the work of contemporary landscape artists. The award aims to be inclusive, encouraging entries from early-career artists and indigenous artists. The award is judged on the artist’s creativity, statement/story, and technical skill. The Hadley’s Art Prize celebrates landscape art, reconnecting with the art displayed at Hadley’s Orient Hotel over a century ago. Judged by a different panel of art experts every year, the prize is open to Australian artists, over the age of 18, working in two-dimensional mediums. The works of finalists are exhibited in customised gallery spaces at Hadley’s Orient Hotel in late July and August. The winning entry is added to a growing permanent collection at the hotel that is publicly accessible. As well as the Major Prize, there is also a Residency Prize valued at $10,000, a Packing Room Prize valued at $1000, a $2500 People’s Choice Award, as well as $1500 worth of prizes for school students.
