Tehran-born, Melbourne-based artist Hoda Afshar with Agonistes, an artwork celebrating whistleblowers. The art installation comprising a video and a series of nine photographic portraits on the People’s Choice Prize for Ramsay Art Prize 2021. Photo: Saul Steed.

Hoda Afshar’s video and a series of nine photographic portraits artwork celebrating whistleblowers has won the People’s Choice Prize for Ramsay Art Prize 2021.

BY KAZAD

ADELAIDE AUSTRALIA: Hoda Afshar, the Tehran-born, Melbourne-based artist, has won the People’s Choice for Ramsay Art Prize 2021. She won the prestigious art prize with her work Agonistes.  The art installation comprising a video and a series of nine photographic portraits explores the experiences of whistleblowers. The work was selected by public vote from the 24 Ramsay Art Prize finalists. The People’s Choice comes with a $15,000 prize.

Hoda Afshar’s Artwork Celebrating Whistleblowers

To create Agonistes, Afshar photographed 3D printed busts that resemble classical statutory, heroicising individuals who have spoken out and endured condemnation as a consequence. Despite consequences, whistleblowers continue to serve as checks on private, public, and government organizations by revealing what they consider illegal, illicit, unsafe, waste fraud, and abuse of power.

Essentially, Agonistes is a monument to those who have sacrificed themselves for the well-being of others. Afshar’s subjects have spoken out for the voiceless. From whistle-blowing on matters to do with the military, intelligence services, immigration detention, youth detention, or aged and disability care, Afshar’s subjects have stood on mountain tops to shout their experience to the world.

Essentially, Agonistes is a monument to those who have sacrificed themselves for the well-being of others. Afshar’s subjects have spoken out for the voiceless.

The thought that went into creating the installation and audience response are some reasons the work won. It bet 24 finalists to win the $15,000 Ramsay Art Prize 2021 People’s Choice prize. AGSA Director, Rhana Devenport ONZM elaborates:

“The selection of this work as the winner of the People’s Choice reflects the level of thoughtfulness and engagement of our visitors. To win a people’s choice prize is an achievement of utmost praise to the artist. We are thrilled to witness our visitors connect so strongly with Afshar’s emotive work.”

The Role of Art and Artists in Society

For Afshar, ‘Being a finalist in the Ramsay Art Prize and winning the People’s Choice with my series Agonistes is a humbling and beautiful moment in my career.”  More importantly, “it’s a testament to the ability of the arts to engage people with the most urgent issues affecting our human society,” she said.

Afshar’s Agonistes reveals the role of art in society, especially in exposing atrocities and ills pervading the system. This view potentially guided Afshar’s to create Agonistes:

“I have always believed in the potential of art to bring to light what’s at stake, and I hope that winning this prize will contribute to highlighting that what is at stake today is our fragile democracy and our right to dissent.”  

In addition to winning the People’s Choice, three photographs from the Agonistes series will enter AGSA’s collection. Thanks to Contemporary Collectors, a philanthropic group that focuses on growing AGSA’s collection of contemporary art.

Specialist legal practice LK is a major supporter of the People’s Choice prize and contemporary Australian art.  In addition to congratulating Hoda Afshar for winning the People’s Choice, the organization also thanked all the participating artists. “We were once again thrilled to play a part in the Ramsay Art Prize, to experience such an array of incredible work and to see at the end of it all which work resonated most with the audience,” said LK’s Chief Operating Officer, Mary-Louise Rahaley.

The Ramsay Art Prize 2021 exhibition runs until August 22 at the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Hoda Afsha’s Artwork Celebrating Whistleblowers raises questions about the role of art and artists in society? What do you think should be the role of art and artists in society? Share your thoughts. Leave a comment.