Clarence Valley Correctional Inmate’s story of culture wins Clarence indigenous Art Award

Artwork created as part of cultural connection program at local jail wins major prize.

Wes, Yabbies Dreaming, 2021. Courtesy of the Artist

A culturally based art initiative at Clarence Correctional Centre (CLA) has supported Dunghutti/Bundgalung man Wes* to win the prestigious Clarence Valley Indigenous Art Award (CVIAA) at Grafton Regional Gallery.

With the support of local Aboriginal Elders, Clarence Valley Council, and Corrective Services NSW, Serco proudly entered 21 inmate works into the award.

Inmate Services manager Cherie Goodwin, who accepted the award on Wes’s behalf has seen first-hand the difference a sense of connection to community through creative and culture-based programs can make to the success of an inmate’s rehabilitation and reintegration.

“Our staff have worked with Corrective Services NSW to develop a series of creative and culture-based programs to innovatively address an individual’s rehabilitation needs,” Ms Goodwin said.

“Pride, sense of personal value and linkage to culture are all foundation activities that can be enhanced through art.

“The model that we have implemented at Clarence Correctional Centre acknowledges the importance of delivering a wide range of rehabilitation experiences, including interventions through art, music, drama, health, wellbeing and culturally-based programs within a correctional environment.”

CLA’s involvement in the Grafton Regional Gallery art competition enabled inmates at the centre to demonstrate their skills and capacity to enrich this prestigious exhibition and give back to the community.

Wes’s winning piece focuses on places and people that tell the story of his childhood, his family and his country. Water animals and spirits feature predominantly in his work with Yabbies Dreaming telling the story of the memories that he had as a child.

“We were taught to paint what we saw,” Wes said.

“Growing up I was always yabbie dreaming. Others who have experienced this, will see this painting and will know what it is about and where it is from.”

Grafton Regional Gallery director Niomi Sands was excited to announce the 2021 CVIAA Open Acquisitive Prize was awarded to Wes for his outstanding work Yabbies Dreaming inspired by childhood experiences with his family.

“This year’s CVIAA has been the strongest yet, with a wonderful selection of artworks celebrating the creative talent of First Nations artists who live within the Clarence Valley,” Ms Sands said.

The awards were judged by Katina Davidson, curator of Indigenous Australian Art, Queensland Art Gallery/Gallery of Modern Art. Katina identifies as a descendant of the Purga Mission, Queensland with cultural connections to the Kullilli and Yuggera people, and maternal non-Indigenous, Australian heritage.

She is one of the founding members of BlakLash Collective in Brisbane and she remarked on the outstanding quality of the entries and congratulated all artists.

Jara’na Dutton with his award and artwork Waarru–biin jagun, 2021.

The Emerging Artist Prize of $1000 was awarded to Jara’na Dutton, for his work Waarru–biin jagun.

The Youth Encouragement Award of Art Materials from Bentleg Gallery and Art Supplies was presented to Maisie Monaghan for her work Dirrangun.

Maisie Monaghan receiving her Youth award from Gallery director Niomi Sands.

Visitors to the Gallery can vote for their favourite artwork as part of the People’s Choice Award which will be announced when the exhibition closes on August 1. The winning artist will receive $1000.