Art prize gives freedom for thought

Artists will express their views on freedom, human rights and politics at the sixteenth annual FREEDOM exhibition.

Darlinghurst’s TAP Gallery has teamed up with Amnesty International Australia and will host the presentation and exhibition launch on Saturday, January 21.

The exhibition will help raise awareness about Amnesty International’s work in protecting people from human rights abuses while allowing emerging artists to showcase their work.

Manager of TAP Gallery, Lesley Dimmick, said the exhibition will highlight Amnesty’s good work by exhibiting artworks on topical and political issues.

“Art is a very powerful tool, it can shift consciousness and make people wake up,” she said.

“It gives the artists an opportunity to express their feelings and thoughts on global issues concerning human rights.”

There will be two main award categories presented on the day: the People’s Choice award selected by the public attending the function, and the Critics’ Choice selected by critics, artists and community representatives.

The exhibition will be open to artists of all mediums, focusing on the artists’ interpretation of what freedom means to them.

Ms Dimmick said the theme of violence against women has been popular for the last few years and believes this year will see more artworks based around the issue.

Artist and exhibition entrant, Michelle Downing, has submitted two oil-on-canvas artworks this year. Her first piece, entitled Blue Burqa, captures her views on the burka ban in France.

Ms Downing said: “[I] believe that women, or indeed anyone, have the right to freedom of religion and should be able to exercise their rights free from harassment and discrimination.”

She said the purpose of the image is to startle people when they look at the sensitivity of it, and realise there is a woman behind the veil and she has feelings and rights too.

Her second piece, Emmanuel, artistically portrays the struggle of Emmanuel Jal, a hip-hop artist who was recruited by the Sudanese Liberation Army when he was just seven years old.

The donations raised for this painting will go to his charity in the UK, called GUA, which seeks to discourage the employment of child soldiers.

The exhibition runs from January 17 to 30 and will feature live music, high profile speakers and celebrity judges.