Congratulations to Carbiene McDonald Tjangala, who has won the 2019 Hadley’s Art Prize, Australia’s richest landscape art award. Carbiene began painting only a year ago, yet his winning artwork, Four Dreamings, was chosen from more than 600 entries. The piece represents four Tjukurrpa (Dreamtime) stories passed down from his father and reflects his deep connection to Country.
The artist travelled for two days from the remote community of Papunya to Hobart—taking his first-ever flight—to accept the prestigious landscape art prize. His sister Karen, who translated for him, said he felt “really happy and grateful,” moved by the national recognition.
A member of a well-known Central Australian artistic family, McDonald Tjangala quickly became known for his dedication. Papunya art studio facilitator said the artist often paints from opening until closing time: “He’s often there before it opens and paints until we have to kick him out.”
Hadley’s Art Prize judge and MONA curator Jane Clark described Four Dreamings as “exciting and original” with a “universal quality.”
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Carbiene McDonald Tjangala with his painting 'Four Dreamings' which won the Hadley's Art Prize, courtesy Jessica King.