11/05/2023
🎇 Congratulations to Zaachariaha Fielding, who has won the Wynne Prize 2023 for his painting 'Inma', which depicts the sounds of Mimili, a small community in the eastern part of the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands.
A first-time finalist, Fielding was ecstatic on receiving the news of the win, saying ‘I feel like dancing right now. The work is music, and I am music. My work is a celebration and is a song in itself and the sound comes from my community.
‘I am going to write an amazing song about this experience. My heart is so full. I can’t wait to tell my family. This is a memory that I was able to document which happened in Paralpi. It’s a place that’s like the Sydney Opera House for the APY Lands! It’s where people come to embrace and celebrate children, teaching them how to move and mimic their clan emblem, and, for Mimili, this has always been the maku (witchetty grub).’
‘The atmosphere of this work is full of sound, movement and teaching,' said Fielding. 'All of the communities are coming together, sharing their storylines. However, this platform is only for children. This is for the babies and it’s about them being taught by the masters, their Elders.’
An interdisciplinary artist from Mimili, Fielding is also lead vocalist of Electric Fields Music, merging neo-soul-pop with the ancient culture of the APY peoples.
See Fielding's stunning work on display with all of the winners and finalists in the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes exhibition, open from Saturday 6 May: https://bit.ly/40GDDSH
💚 In 2023, you can also see Fielding as a sitter in the Archibald Prize, in a portrait by Michael Simms.
With thanks to Presenting Partner ANZ Australia
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Winner Wynne Prize 2023 Zaachariaha Fielding 'Inma' acrylic on linen, © the artist