Darebin Art Prize 2024
10 January – 23 March 2024
Bundoora Homestead Arts Centre
Wurundjeri Woiwurrung Country, Bundoora, VIC
A huge congratulations to Margaret Smith who has been selected as a finalist in the Darebin Art Prize 2024, for her sculptural piece Yes! Car. The Darebin Art Prize is a national multi-medium acquisitive art prize celebrating excellence in contemporary visual art.
Margaret is a Yankunytjatjara woman from the remote community of Imanpa, Northern Territory. Yes! Car speaks to Margaret's leadership within the yes campaign during this year’s referendum on the Voice to Parliament. Her ongoing passion and commitment for empowering Anangu minyma (Aboriginal women) is demonstrated through her ongoing advocacy work, and now her artwork too! Alongside being an accomplished artist, Margaret has played a crucial role in NPY Women’s Council as a board member and advocate for many years. She is currently the NPY Women's Council Chairperson. Margaret studied interpreting in Alice Springs and became one of the very first Anangu accredited interpreters. Margaret is a highly regarded spokesperson for the NPY region and has been a member of a number of boards and committees including the Board of Management of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park and the Cross-border Reference Group on Volatile Substance Misuse.
"'Yes' is in my mind all the time because we have to all include Aboriginal people in the Australian constitution. This is our chance to be recognised. It’s for our communities and our future! This car has got to travel and spread the word around. This car is gonna take us there!" - Margaret Smith
Although the outcome of the referendum was not what Margaret had hoped for, she will continue creating positive change and working to improve the lives of Anangu in the Central and Western Desert regions.
