Thursday, November 27, 2008
www.pjhewitt.com
Well its up an away my new site pjhewitt is available for viewing www.pjhewitt.com for the latest check it out.
Monday, April 14, 2008
2008 National Indigi Art Prize
Mixed media on board204 x 60cm
My entry 'Dat a Catapulla'
The work explores notions of narrative and language. Aboriginal English has distinctive features of accent, grammar, words and meanings. This work shows my interests as an educator and the pragmatics (the way language is used rather than the way it is structured) of Aboriginal English and the effects it has in the classroom. For example questions are often not used to seek important information. People use more indirect ways of finding things out, using hinting or triggering statements.
As I continually explore my own visual language, I will investigate ideas that relate individually and portray these as aesthetic material intensities. I merely strive to achieve a synthesis between my abstract expression influences and individual permutation.
The work explores notions of narrative and language. Aboriginal English has distinctive features of accent, grammar, words and meanings. This work shows my interests as an educator and the pragmatics (the way language is used rather than the way it is structured) of Aboriginal English and the effects it has in the classroom. For example questions are often not used to seek important information. People use more indirect ways of finding things out, using hinting or triggering statements.
As I continually explore my own visual language, I will investigate ideas that relate individually and portray these as aesthetic material intensities. I merely strive to achieve a synthesis between my abstract expression influences and individual permutation.
the busy and partially inspired
The scheme of an art prize junky has emerged. I am a finalist in the prestigious Sulman Prize and have just entered the National Indigenous Art Prize for the second year running. Resulting in opportunities and group shows. Notions of artist reputation and name definitely fuel these endeavors.
The idea of status is an interesting one. Individually I think all work should converse with the audience for itself, like many aspects of the actual world, a plan and solution needs to be put into place so the end resolution is somewhere in the vicinity of the original goal.
UNFORTUNITELY, art as commodity influences the purist and painting for art sake becomes some sort of balance; make believe authentic artist and business practice. Traditionally speaking….. incongruous.
Now inspired by my yearning views I’m equipped to enter the studio.
The idea of status is an interesting one. Individually I think all work should converse with the audience for itself, like many aspects of the actual world, a plan and solution needs to be put into place so the end resolution is somewhere in the vicinity of the original goal.
UNFORTUNITELY, art as commodity influences the purist and painting for art sake becomes some sort of balance; make believe authentic artist and business practice. Traditionally speaking….. incongruous.
Now inspired by my yearning views I’m equipped to enter the studio.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
A win for PJH
Spring River Bro120 x 90cm
Mixed Media on Board 2007
Well it’s happened; I have won an art award!! (Fishers Ghost Art Prize: Indigenous Award). It’s a good feeling, but I don’t particularly like the work. What makes it worse is they didn’t hang my work in the Open Prize. Rubbish!
But, I can now say I’m an award winner. Sounds alright!
But, I can now say I’m an award winner. Sounds alright!
Monday, September 10, 2007
flopsta to blogsta
Time for an update, I have been lazy recently and am now determined to get this blog from flopsta to blogstar.
Alright, so I didn’t get into the 'National Indigenous' art prize this year. So, I have decided to map out next years possible prizes and set a few goals. Positive thinking! I’ll post them so I have a permanent record for myself and for those who care.
1. 2008 National Indigenous Art Prize (Darwin) apply around March
2. Parliament of NSW Indigenous Art Prize again apply around March
3. Xstrata Coal Emerging Indigenous Art Award apply around June (extremely selective, would be a gigantic positive) QLD
Whoa, recently I have moved into a shared studio space and loving it. The lack of restrictions of leaving work and making a mess without a concern is awesome. I must apologize to my studio partner about the toxic gases, although there is nothing wrong with a elevated mind.
Here is a peek at some new work; the 'Verticals' may finally be suppressed and is now moved to the background, the work must roll on. The Verticals needed to be hit hard, 'Bitumen' has given me the slap I needed. I will let the work go forward and think about what it could all possibly mean later.
On that note, the more I talk to people about saying I’m indigenous, the harder it is to shake off the categorization of indigenous artist. I am an artist who happens to be indigenous!!! (it’s been said before I know), yes, I’m getting boxed in. I want to express my indiginality but feel awkward, part of the artistic examination I guess. Cashing in on the whole Aboriginal art commodity comes to people’s minds also.
…Categorizing is another issue in itself...
"Changing Tides Bro '"
Mixed Media on Board
w180 x h120
Alright, so I didn’t get into the 'National Indigenous' art prize this year. So, I have decided to map out next years possible prizes and set a few goals. Positive thinking! I’ll post them so I have a permanent record for myself and for those who care.
1. 2008 National Indigenous Art Prize (Darwin) apply around March
2. Parliament of NSW Indigenous Art Prize again apply around March
3. Xstrata Coal Emerging Indigenous Art Award apply around June (extremely selective, would be a gigantic positive) QLD
Whoa, recently I have moved into a shared studio space and loving it. The lack of restrictions of leaving work and making a mess without a concern is awesome. I must apologize to my studio partner about the toxic gases, although there is nothing wrong with a elevated mind.
Here is a peek at some new work; the 'Verticals' may finally be suppressed and is now moved to the background, the work must roll on. The Verticals needed to be hit hard, 'Bitumen' has given me the slap I needed. I will let the work go forward and think about what it could all possibly mean later.
On that note, the more I talk to people about saying I’m indigenous, the harder it is to shake off the categorization of indigenous artist. I am an artist who happens to be indigenous!!! (it’s been said before I know), yes, I’m getting boxed in. I want to express my indiginality but feel awkward, part of the artistic examination I guess. Cashing in on the whole Aboriginal art commodity comes to people’s minds also.
…Categorizing is another issue in itself...
"Changing Tides Bro '"Mixed Media on Board
w180 x h120
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Telstra Prize
I have recently entered the National Indigenous art prize in Darwin and I'm hanging out to see if I will be hanging... Fingers crossed.
Here is the work I submitted and the artist statement accompanying it.
Here is the work I submitted and the artist statement accompanying it.
'What Happened to the River Bro'
Mixed media on Board 92 x 130
2007
‘What Happened to the River Bro?’ creates a dialogue with the viewer about human water consumption and lack of rain in our fresh water systems. When I compare human influence on the natural cycle of water, it is easy to conclude our consumption and other variable weather factors act as a cancer on the natural cycle of water. It is difficult for me to think about my work without making a comment on something which is drastically changing our landscape. ‘What Happened to the River Bro?’ reflects the dry creek beds, missed seasons of rain and agricultural impact seen in our environment. The work is non-representational yet it serves as a narrative to audiences’ cultural and subjective needs.
Monday, November 20, 2006
'Us Mob'
Inviolable: Forever and a Day
Indiginality: Ancestry, Reverence of Country and Connection to the People
From time to time to explore yourself will allow others to ascertain themselves
"Full blood is a word used to mean someone who through heredity is close to what is termed 'traditional...I do not believe that the mere fact of 'blood' denotes a possible plentitude of an original Indiginality... Indiginality includes a learnt portion, and to stress degrees of 'blood' is in effect playing the Master's game, which is always one dealing with possession, legality, paternity and caste." Mudrooroo
Vertical Panel 4
Oil and acrylic on canvas
120 x 145cm 2006
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Subjectivity More Vertical Panels
A connection to the land, European dominance.
Various memories of a distant family, the house… ownership missing. Old rotting broken fences used for fire wood. Objects worn down by the elements. Dirty faces and smelly cloths.
A disconnection to foreign values language and way of life.
__________________________________________________________________
A constant thought......
"In 1935 a fair-skinned Australian of part-indigenous descent was ejected from a hotel for being an Aboriginal. He returned to his home on the mission station to find himself refused entry because he was not an Aboriginal. He tried to remove his children but was told he could not because they were Aboriginal. He walked to the next town where he was arrested for being an Aboriginal vagrant and placed on the local reserve. During the Second World War he tried to enlist but was told he could not because he was Aboriginal. He went interstate and joined up as a non-Aboriginal. After the war he could not acquire a passport without permission because he was Aboriginal. He received exemption from the Aborigines Protection Act-and was told that he could no longer visit his relations on the reserve because he was not an Aboriginal. He was denied permission to enter the Returned Servicemen's Club because he was."
Unpublished paper, Aboriginal Citizenship conference at the ANU in February 1996.
___________________________________________________________________
Clarification
In the 1980s a new definition was proposed in the Constitutional Section of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs' Report on a review of the administration of the working definition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (Canberra, 1981). The section offered the following definition:
"An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is a person of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent who identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and is accepted as such by the community in which he (she) lives."
_________________________________________________
A reconnection process
Vertical Panels, overlay of colour and form, tension, movement and a unification of elements.
A connection to the land, European dominance.
Various memories of a distant family, the house… ownership missing. Old rotting broken fences used for fire wood. Objects worn down by the elements. Dirty faces and smelly cloths.
A disconnection to foreign values language and way of life.
__________________________________________________________________
A constant thought......
"In 1935 a fair-skinned Australian of part-indigenous descent was ejected from a hotel for being an Aboriginal. He returned to his home on the mission station to find himself refused entry because he was not an Aboriginal. He tried to remove his children but was told he could not because they were Aboriginal. He walked to the next town where he was arrested for being an Aboriginal vagrant and placed on the local reserve. During the Second World War he tried to enlist but was told he could not because he was Aboriginal. He went interstate and joined up as a non-Aboriginal. After the war he could not acquire a passport without permission because he was Aboriginal. He received exemption from the Aborigines Protection Act-and was told that he could no longer visit his relations on the reserve because he was not an Aboriginal. He was denied permission to enter the Returned Servicemen's Club because he was."
Unpublished paper, Aboriginal Citizenship conference at the ANU in February 1996.
___________________________________________________________________
Clarification
In the 1980s a new definition was proposed in the Constitutional Section of the Department of Aboriginal Affairs' Report on a review of the administration of the working definition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (Canberra, 1981). The section offered the following definition:
"An Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander is a person of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent who identifies as an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander and is accepted as such by the community in which he (she) lives."
_________________________________________________
A reconnection process
Vertical Panels, overlay of colour and form, tension, movement and a unification of elements.
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