3 December 2022
Montana Kitching’s oil painting – Vicki of Jacana – has won the coveted 2022 Portrait of a Senior Territorian Art Award.
The Darwin artist has collected $7000 prize money for her work, which will be acquired by the Northern Territory Government for its permanent collection.
Montana, a nurse who works at the Darwin Private Hospital, chose to portray her colleague Vicki Siemer in celebration of her pivotal role as a ward clerk who keeps the Jacana Ward afloat.
“Vicki keeps everyone calm and cared for, and is the one constant that people can count on in such a fast-paced, ever-revolving setting,” Montana said.
“In hospitals, it’s not just the doctors, nurses, and allied health teams who work long, hard days to make sure the vulnerable, sick, injured and elderly are cared for.
“Without the ward clerks, cleaners, kitchen staff and personal care assistants, our hospitals would be a total shipwreck.”
Darwin’s Jose Victor Patalinghug took out second prize in the competition for the second consecutive year, this time for his work titled Unfolding Resilience. The oil-on-canvas portrait is a tribute to the resilience, strength and fortitude of Wadeye resident Ms Kinmarri.
Third prize was won by Papunya artist, Wilfred Thomas Tjampitjinpa, who painted Narlie Nelson Nakamarra. The work, titled Amami (Grandmother), depicts Wilfred’s grandmother – a recognised artist who is the daughter of legendary painter Johnny Warangkula Tjupurrula.
Portrait of a Senior Territorian, which has a prize pool of $10,500 funded by the Territory Labor Government, has been running for 24 years.
The exhibition, which opened this evening at Araluen Arts Centre in Alice Springs, will be on display until Sunday 19 February 2023.
The $1000 People’s Choice Award is now open for voting either online at nt.gov.au/portrait-of-a-senior-territorian [https://MMB%20-%20Portrait%20of%20a%20Senior%20Territorian%202021%20winner.DOCX] or in-person at the exhibition. The winner will be announced on 24 February 2023.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage Chansey Paech:
“The Portrait of a Senior Territorian is an iconic art award that showcases the artistic excellence and creativity of our visual storytellers.
“Equally, the award is a celebration of the contribution our seniors make to their communities; and an opportunity to document the vibrant characters who do so much to enrich the Northern Territory.
“Works will be on display at Araluen until next February, and I urge everyone to come and view the exhibition, which is certainly one of my arts calendar favourites.”
First Prize $7000: Montana Kitching – Vicki of Jacana, 2022. Portrait of Vicki Siemer. Oil on paper.Second Prize $2000: Jose Victor Patalinghug – Unfolding Resilience, 2022. Portrait of Ms Kinmarri. Oil on canvas.Third Prize $500: Wilfred Thomas Tjampitjinpa, Amami (Grandmother), 2022. Portrait of Narlie Nelson Nakamarra, Acrylic on canvas.
