Megan Evans takes home 2019 Footscray Art Prize

PARLOUR, a powerful photograph that examines the impact of colonialisation on identity, was chosen from from over 800 entries, and scores its creator, interdisciplinary artist Megan Evans, a $10,000 prize.

The judging panel, made up of ACMI’s Katrina Sedgwick, ACCA’s Hannah Presley and VCA’s Raafat Ishak, selected Evans’ work from a shortlist of 33 works, spread across a variety of mediums.

Of Evans’ win, the panel said: “The responsibility she takes for her history is something deeply embedded in the power of the work.”

The biennial Footscray Art Prize is a unique collaboration between Victoria University, Maribyrnong City Council, Footscray Community Arts Centre and the Rotary Club of Footscray. Along with the main prize, awards are also presented in Street Art, Tertiary and Young Artist categories, with all the winning works and shortlisted entries on show at free exhibitions at Footscray Community Arts Centre and VU at MetroWest until 20 July 2019.

For more info, check out the Footscray Art Prize website.

The full list of winners is as follows:

Footscray Art Prize winner (main prize)
Megan Evans – PARLOUR

Highly Commended
Louis Theuma – Manhattan 1952

Street Art Prize winner
Justine McCallister – Dogs of the West

Tertiary Prize winner
Natasha Krcevinac – mum & me

Young Artist Prize winners – joint (secondary)
Ashlin Lyons – Unconditional
Jessie Sun – Overwhelmed

Young Artist Prize winner (primary)
Mayo Areej Fujieda – Dogs make us all happy

Header image: Megan Evans, PARLOUR, 2018, digital photograph.

Jodie Sloan

Living, writing, and reading in Brisbane/Meanjin. Likes spooky books, strong cocktails, and pro-wrestling.