Michaela Meade
Werribee’s Megan Evans has been shortlisted for the 2021 Footscray Art Prize.
The Footscray Art Prize is run every two years, and is open nationally for contemporary artworks across multiple platforms and disciplines.
It is a collaboration between Victoria University, Maribrynong council, Footscray Community Arts Centre and the Rotary Club of Footscray.
The 170 shortlisted works from across the country were selected from a record 830 entries.
Having won the prize in 2019, Evans said she “didn’t expect to be included” in this year’s shortlisted artists, but she was looking forward to displaying her artwork.
“The selected work is part of a larger body of work titled ‘Mother Country,” she said.
“All my artwork… is about colonists.
“I want to address my ancestors role in colonisation.
“[This work] looks like the impact of colonisation… it’s beaded, with a bullet hole in the middle, red beads around the hole, and white surrounding everything else.
“People see the world through a white lens… I’m questioning [that].”
Evans said it has been “great to be recognised” by the prize.
“It’s an acknowledgement… [and] makes you feel that your work is important.”
Evans said she found living through the COVID-19 pandemic last year as a mostly positive experience.
“I was lucky enough to continue working,” she said.
“I felt that I had no obligation outside of the studio.
“Obviously there was a point, as with everyone, where there was that longing for company… but for the most part it was good.”
Winners for the 2021 Footscray Art Prize will be announced on Friday, May 7 at the exhibition’s opening night.
