Electric Fields musician Zaachariaha Fielding wins prestigious Wynne Prize

Electric Fields music sensation Zaachariaha Fielding has been awarded one of the nation’s most prestigious art prizes for his compelling painting that depicts his home in the APY Lands

Artist Zaachariaha Fielding wins the Wynne Prize 2023, with the work Inma. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Jeremy Piper

South Australia’s supremely talented Zaachariaha Fielding has made more waves in the world of creativity after taking out one of Australia’s oldest and most prestigious art prizes.

The gifted musician and innovative storyteller was awarded the Wynne Prize, the sister art prize to the Archibald, for his painting Inma.

The work depicts the movements and sounds of Mimili, his home community in the eastern part of the APY Lands.

Winning the award was a landmark moment for Fielding who began exploring a passion for painting when his touring career – as one half of electronic dance duo Electric Fields – was put on hold due to Covid-19.

Wynne Prize winner Zaachariaha Fielding poses alongside 'Inma' at the Art Gallery Of NSW. Picture: Don Arnold/WireImage

“I started painting when my shows were all cancelled in America,” he said.

“But it also gave me another ­career, which has been interesting. I had no idea what was possible.”

He honed his craft at the APY Lands Art Centre Collective’s Adelaide Centre, which he paid tribute to on winning the award.

“I am so proud of our work, our studio, our staff and my own teachers,” he said.

“This is for all the people who choose joy and beauty and the song over fight.

“I have seen a lot of crazy in this industry, which is very interesting. We know who we are, we stand strong.”

In a 2021 interview with SA Weekend, Mr Fielding said his dad was the driving force behind his new-found passion for painting.

“When I was younger my dad tried to get me to paint, but it never really happened,” he said.

“Dad is very much about the ochre colours, as many artists from the APY Lands are, but when I got into the studio I just started playing with these blues, navies and magentas – they spoke to me.”

The winners of the Wynne, Sulman and Archibald prizes, which are held concurrently at the Art Gallery of NSW, were announced on Friday. Julia Gutman won the esteemed ­Archibald with her portrait of singer-songwriter Montaigne.