The winner of the $10,000 Macquarie Digital Portraiture Award was announced on Friday 22 August 2014 at the National Portrait Gallery.
The artist judged to have made the most outstanding screen-based digital portrait is Tiyan Melissa Kilie Baker from the Northern Territory, with her series of three digital video works; Lost Love - Waiting for midnight at the Long Distance Call Building on Chang-an Jie so I can call her, Beijing 1998, 2014, Waiting on the bridge on Da Liu Shu Road for something to happen to me, Beijing 2011, 2014, and Yiyi is tired after running at Yong He Jia Yuan park, Beijing 2014, 2014. Tiyan will receive a $10,000 cash award from the Gallery, made possible through the generous support of the Macquarie Group Foundation. The winner will be announced by the Head of the Foundation, Lisa George. The National Portrait Gallery and the Macquarie Group Foundation warmly congratulate the awardee.
The other finalists are Joseph Steven Knox, (VIC, b.1996); Imogen Henry (VIC, b.1991); Phoebe Carmody (ACT, b.1989); and Xanthe Dobbie (VIC, b.1993). These digital works, in addition to that of the winner, forms the Macquarie Digital Portraiture Award exhibition.
Now in its third year, the Macquarie Digital Portraiture Award seeks to extend traditional notions of portraiture to the digital realm for emerging artists between the ages of 18 and 30. The award highlights the Gallery’s commitment to regular engagement with screen-based narratives and digital technology.
As the winner of the Macquarie Digital Portraiture Award 2014, Tiyan Melissa Kilie Baker will be given the opportunity to undertake a multifaceted professional development program at the Perth Institute of Contemporary Art (PICA), who will provide access to sophisticated technologies and well-connected online communities.
Of the winner, National Portrait Gallery Senior Curator Dr Chapman said ‘The judges have selected Tiyan’s series of three video portraits that are meditations on love – lost and remembered. The video portraits reveal heartbreaking moments where individuals long for connection – a feeling that many of us can identify with.’
Judges for the 2014 award were National Portrait Gallery Senior Curator Dr Christopher Chapman; Artistic Director of Performance Space Sydney, Jeff Kahn; and the Gallery’s online manager, Gillian Raymond. The award winner and finalists, judges and representatives from the Macquarie Group Foundation will be available for interview.
The Macquarie Digital Portraiture Award 2014 will be displayed at the National Portrait Gallery from 22 August to 23 November 2014.
