Judith Crispin – Major Prize Winner

Sunshine Coast Art Prize 2023 – Major Prize Winner

_{[Image courtesy of the artist]}

Judith Crispin | Jenni, in spirit form, watches the first UFOs appear above the West MacDonnell Ranges | 2022 | lumachrome | 140 x 97cm

$25,000 - Sponsored by Argon Law and Sunshine Coast Council

Artist Statement

I create afterlife portraits from cadavers using light reactive paper, and techniques I’ve invented layering practices like lumen printing, cliché-verre & chemigram with painting and drawing. Decomposition chemistry is harnessed for colour and detail. Normally the works are exposed 30—50 hours. I make these portraits to honour animals and birds with whom we share this planet. My practice has evolved from reconnecting with my heritage - the Bpangerang from whom I am descended, and my Warlpiri friends who are like family. This little Guinnea fowl was killed by foxes. She was dropped one night as they fled from the yard—and died soon afterward. There were shooting stars in the sky, as if they had come to bear witness. Jenni lay on the light-sensitised paper for 47 hours, under that meteor shower. After the print emerged, I wrapped her in paperbark and left her in a hollow tree.