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THIS PAGE, FROM LEFT Merri Creek Portrait of Nayndng, 2 (2021).
Self Portrait on Mercury (2019). All works by Atong Atem.
‹‹ outcome,” she says of the power dynamic between subject and the
eye behind the lens. “Subconsciously, I get into that headspace,
because it’s such a long process that by the time I’m ready to actually
sit down and photograph, I feel quite embodied in that character.
So even the choices that I make in terms of photographing, they
duplicate that performative characterisation that I’ve come up with.”
Simmering just under those striking tones of sunshine yellow,
washed pink and lucid teal is the Melbourne-based artist’s intention
to reclaim ethnographic photography and address the complexities
of migration, history and race. While Atem makes it clear that she
doesn’t have an issue in the documentation of culture, the misuse
of power in its approach is redressed in her own practice as she
commits to image as someone actually within the African diaspora.
“I’m really lucky and proud of the fact that I grew up knowing as
much about my culture as I did,” she says. “My true self uses those
visual languages and those words, and those foods and spices and
clothes. The reason that I speak constantly about being South
Sudanese is it’s just such a privilege for me to be able to do that.”
“There’s acknowledgement of culture as this ever-evolving thing,’
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she continues, “but also acknowledgement that this comes from
somewhere and it has been influenced by colonialism and has fought
back against it and is now trying to redefine, unlearn and relearn.”
It’s easy to see how Atem’s work caught La Prairie’s attention.
“Today, promoting women artists is for La Prairie not only a decision,
it is our duty,” says Rosi Fernandez, managing director of La Prairie
Australia and New Zealand. “We see this as beyond simply an award
— we are encouraging an ongoing experience and a journey that will
take the artist to the world starting in Switzerland.” As for her
thoughts of the inaugural recipient, “Personally, I see the same in
Atong as I do in her work,” says Fernandez. “I see power, confidence,
vibrancy and a dedicated conviction to telling her story.”
The La Prairie Art Award also includes a commissioned piece.
A yellow dress, a bouquet (2022) is an expansive series of five self- PHOTOGRAPHER: IMAGES COURTESY OF MARS AND THE ARTIST
portraits. “I put energy and effort into just trying to be as true to
myself as possible, and to make it just feel like a meaningful version
of what I do that is accessible, but also really bold,” Atong says. “I tried
not to think too hard about how many people see it — don’t worry
about that, just make a work that you love and that you feel proud of.
And that’s what I did.” atongatem.com marsgallery.com.au