Janet Koongotema, Wynne Prize finalist

Congratulations to Janet Koongotema of Wik & Kugu Arts Centre, of Aurukun (Cape York Peninsula) on being accepted as a finalist in the Wynne Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Photo credit: Mo’iam – Archer River, Janet Koongotema 2023, Acrylic on Lonen, 159 x 158.5 cm. Image courtesy of the artist and Wik & Kugu Art Centre.

About the artwork: Mo’iam is a sacred Aak Puulwuy (story place) for Wik people of the Winchanam clan, as well as a very important location for the artist’s family. Due to its significance, Koongotema regularly paints Mo’iam, along with her family’s other aak puulwuy. It is integral to Koongotema that she helps to keep this location healthy, so that the knowledge of Country can be passed on to her grandchildren. She says, ‘I want to teach people about our culture and to share the wonderful stories we have been taught, which [explain] how to respect the land.’

Learn more: www.artgallery.nsw.gov.au/prizes/wynne/2023/30586/