August Photo of the Month by Robyn Hills

Judy Napangardi Watson
Being named as a Finalist in the prestigious Olive Cotton Award for Photographic Portraiture is a huge honour.  The judge was Stephen Dupont, a legendary photographer and documentary filmmaker, who also presented a talk on his photography prior to the opening night event at the Tweed Regional Gallery and Margaret Olley Art Centre in Murwillumbah, NSW.  

This portrait of aboriginal artist, Judy Napangardi Watson, was recently photographed on a trip to Central Australia, where I volunteered in the Yuendumu community, situated on the edge of the Tanami Desert.  Warlukurlangu manager, Cecilia Alfonso, asked me to create a professional portrait of each of the artists.  The assistant manager, Gloris Morales, helped find a large canvas that was primed black, ready for painting, which was used as the background.  A single light created this striking look as my eye is drawn to the play of light and texture.  I wanted to make portraits with dignity and pride, that captured the artists raw beauty.
 
The winner of the award was Natalie Grono of Lennox Head for a quirky image of her two children.  For more information and to see the other finalists, go to 
http://artgallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au/PrizesAndAwards/OliveCotton