Gilson makes finals of the Blake

WADAWURRUNG emerging elder Dr Deanne Gilson is one of eighty-nine finalists in the prestigious Blake Art Prize.

The competition has encouraged Australian and international artists to explore spiritual and religious ideas through visual art for seven decades.

Gilson said she has applied multiple times in the last 15 years, but has seen success this time with her ochre, acrylic and wattle tree sap painting on linen, Karringalabil Bundjil Murrup, Manna Gum Tree.

The 90-centimetre by 100-centimetre piece was painted earlier this year and tells the Victorian First Nations story of the creation tree of knowledge.

“Bunjil the Eagle created the first man and woman out of clay and it’s based around the manna gum tree; a birthing tree,” she said.

“All the birds of creation that helped Bunjil are captured in the painting on the tree. It’s our story.

“It’s about connection to country, plants, animals, caring for country, everyone and everything that lives on country. If country’s healthy, we’re healthy.”

Gilson said the Blake received 1200 entries in 2020, and always attracts the country’s elite painting crowd, including Archibald Prize contenders.

“I don’t know too many people from regional Victoria that have ever been in the Blake. The judges really liked my work, I couldn’t believe it.

“I’ve been a practicing artist for 35 years, but I never gave up. If you don’t give up, opportunities come. It’s a nice thing for the CV, especially because the work is based in Aboriginal spirituality,” she said.

“My PhD was on Aboriginal women’s business, looking at how traditional marks and practices can be used today to create contemporary artworks that link to ceremony, healing and the continuation of cultural knowledge today.”

Blake Art Prize winners will be announced during the opening of the exhibition on Saturday, 13 February at the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre, Sydney. The show runs until April.