Indigenous art and culture will be showcased at the GeoCentre on Friday night with the opening of the 2023 Maari Ma Indigenous Art Awards.
The annual Awards event is supported by Broken Hill City Council and Maari Ma, and provides an opportunity to display and celebrate art works and creativity by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
The Awards are open to all Indigenous artists residing in the Maari Ma/West Darling Arts region, which covers most of Far West NSW.
This year’s prize pool is $12,500 with a $5,000 Open prize, $2,000 Emerging Artist Award, $2000 Nhuungku (women’s) Prize for Excellence, $1,000 art pack young artist award and a $500 art pack Children’s Art Award sponsored by West Darling Arts.
Council's Gallery & Museum Manager, Kathryn Graham, said the exhibition opening night would feature more than just art.
"This year we are pleased to be partnering with the Blak Markets, so not only will artists' works be showcased, they will also have works for sale," she said.
"The night will celebrate Indigenous culture with live music provided by local Indigenous musicians Anthony Hayward and Leroy Johnson."
This year’s guest judge is Marika Davies who is a proud Wangkangurru woman hailing from the Simpson Desert.
She recently assumed the role of Tarnanthi Regional Curator, and previously was as the Arts and Cultural Facilitator in Port Augusta, where she served with the Port Augusta City Council and Country Arts SA.
Marika is not only a dedicated curator but also a talented artist boasting notable achievements such as earning the title of 'Artist of the Year' during NAIDOC Week in 2016 in Port Augusta, and clinching the top spot in the Malka Prize in 2011.
"It's wonderful to have Marika on board as a guest judge, her knowledge of art and culture will be invaluable in determining a winner from a great field of entries," said Ms Graham.
The Maari Ma Indigenous Art Awards will get underway from 6pm on September 29.
WHAT: Maari Ma Indigenous Art Awards
WHEN: September 29, 6pm
WHERE: Albert Kersten Mining and Mineral Museum (GeoCentre)