2007 Indigenous Visual Art Outstanding Entry

Mandi Barton

Swallowed (Acrylic and shellac on canvas. 100cm x 75cm x 4cm.)

 

Artist's Statement

Our loved ones are being swallowed up and taken away through the earth.  In the last week I lost an Aunty to lung cancer.  Another Aunty has brain tumours, an Uncle, lung cancer and an Aunty whom I never remember because of leukemia.  The feeling of hopelessness led to Swallowed.

Judge's Comments

by Liz Liddle, Indigenous Arts Officer, Arts Victoria.  

Mandy Barton's portrayal of loss of family being taken away through cancer to the earth portrays a feeling of hopelessness and inevitability in being sucked in a downward spiral in which there is no way out. This sense of hopelessness seemingly has led to a feeling of being swallowed by this downward spiral. However, the painting provides an ironical sense of hope at the same time in it's bright colors and gilded spiral.

Mandy created a work which stood out through it's sense of balance and depth. It is visually entertaining without being cluttered or busy and includes iconic symbols of Victorian Aboriginal traditions.

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