Thursday, 3rd November 2022
Mandorla Exhibition 2022
The theme from the 2022 Mandorla Art Award was Metamorphosis - a profound or radical change.
On Saturday 18th June the Mandorla Art Award People’s Choice Award winner was announced, an award sponsored by the Benedictine Community of New Norcia. It is now on display at the New Norcia Museum with other pieces from the 2022 Mandorla Exhibition, including the winner of the major $25,000 St John of God Health Care Prize Chalice, a stunning work created by Claire Beausein, from wild silkworm cocoons stitched together with silk thread.
New Norcia was fortunate to be able to acquire a photographic piece from the exhibition by Eva Fernández, titled Nina Robado. The artist’s statement:
Many Nyoongar children were stolen and institutionalised as a result of colonisation. Forcibly removed from their families by the government with the assistance of churches, children’s lives were under the control of missions. They were subjected to cruelty and lack of care and compassion. Irrespective of the attempt to assimilate and annihilate Aboriginal people, this subject is a symbol of survival, resistance, and revival. She is also a cancer survivor. The ultimate metamorphosis.
Since taking office, Abbot John said it has been his responsibility to respond to the multifaceted issue of the dark chapter of New Norcia’s history – the neglect and abuse of Aboriginal (and other) children. 'Along with meeting with victim/survivors, redress, and safeguarding initiatives, open acknowledgment and apology is vitally important', he said. 'As well as statements through various forums, we have installed a permanent memorial ‘Rock of Remembrance’ next to the Abbey Church. We have also undertaken an ongoing project to identify and mark graves in the cemetery, with new signage recently installed'.