Goulburn Regional Art Gallery is pleased to announce Dean Cross as the inaugural recipient of The Good Initiative, a $20,000 award for artists.
The Good Initiative launched in July 2020, and is a biennale initiative awarding a $20,000 opportunity to an artist for a major commission. The first iteration of The Good Initiative called for proposals from early career artists born and/or living in our region to be awarded a solo exhibition at the Gallery. It is one of the most generous and ambitious awards offered by any regional gallery in Australia.
Dean will present a solo exhibition at the Gallery in 2021 and receive this funding plus support and mentorship herein.
Dean was born and raised on Ngunnawal/Ngambri County and is of Worimi descent. His practice encompasses a variety of media from painting to ephemeral installation. It is powerful work — expressive, political and poetic. His exhibition in Goulburn will comprise new work created from and in the region, where he spent his formative years.
Dean says, “I am thrilled to be announced as the inaugural recipient of The Good Initiative. Regional galleries are crucial to a vibrant visual arts sector – and I cannot wait to work closely with the team at Goulburn Regional Art Gallery to push the limits of my practice.”
Goulburn Regional Art Gallery Director, Gina Mobayed adds “Dean is an artist whose work needs to be seen, considered and discussed now. The ideas in his proposal were a vital and fascinating commentary on who we are and what is happening in contemporary society. I am so pleased we can support him and his work, and bring it in to Goulburn.”
The Gallery sincerely thanks each artist who took the time to create a proposal. The Gallery would also like to acknowledge the panel members Clothilde Bullen and Melissa Keys who gave their time and critical expertise generously.
Clothilde Bullen, Senior Curator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Collections and Exhibitions at the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sydney says “Dean’s aim to re-entre community narratives is a timely and multi-layered approach to unpacking how people’s connections to one another evolve and change during times of disaster and difficulties. Locating kernels of practice and artistic thread within and between regional areas, and reprioritising their significance whilst working within those communities will be an important and localised project, but with tendrils that reach out further to national stories. The artists proven ability to work with communities and his multidisciplinary and curious approach to art making ensures the project will be dynamic and engaging.”
Melissa Keys, Curator at Buxton Contemporary Melbourne said “I’m deeply impressed with the quality of the proposals entered in the inaugural ‘The Good Initiative’ developed by Goulburn Regional Art Gallery.
It’s always a great privilege to read artists proposals and to reflect upon their broader practices and ideas. It was an exciting decision to recognise Dean Cross with the first ‘The Good Initiative’ prize. Dean is clearly an exceptionally thoughtful and intelligent artist. His proposal stood out as particularly aspirational, critically insightful and timely. He is an artist who promises to continue to make a meaningful and enduring contribution to art and culture, and I’m excited in anticipation to see his project unfold and be exhibited in Goulburn.”
Goulburn Regional Art Gallery would like to express gratitude to the donor who has made this initiative possible.
Source: Goulburn Regional Art Gallery