What are your thoughts on this year’s shortlist? Do you have any favourites?
There are a lot of compelling works on the shortlist! I am particularly drawn to the entries of Amol K Patil, Cian Dayrit, Koralegedara Pushpakumara, Rithika Merchant – as well fellow Aussies Zoe Young, Cyrus Tang and Hayley Millar Baker.
After your win in 2020, we noticed a surge in Australian entrants and finalists. Have you noticed any particular trends emerging in the Australian art scene?
That makes me really happy to hear, I think Australian art and artists have a breadth and intensity and such a high standard that they deserve a place on the world stage, particularly as part of Asia. It’s great that the world is waking up to the talent in Australia.
If I could name one trend, there has been a particular intensity in the deconstruction of colonial narratives, a past that Australia is yet to properly reckon with. It’s really great to see Indigenous Australian painting increasingly recognised as the most truly contemporary painting there is.