Rob Douma takes out the 2018 Napier Waller Art Prize

The Australian War Memorial is pleased to announce Rob Douma as the winner of the inaugural Napier Waller Art Prize. 

Rob Douma’s moving piece ‘Green on Blue: The betrayal of trust’ highlights an incident in 2011, in Kandahar province, Afghanistan, where an Afghan soldier fired on Australian soldiers who were mentoring him, betraying their trust and killing three Australians and an interpreter and wounding nine more.

Mr Douma said art allowed him to tell the stories of Australia’s soldiers on deployment and the impact service has on their ongoing lives.

“I think art can be incredibly important. There have been many studies that have shown the healing power of art. I think it’s given me a vehicle to talk about a lot of the experiences I’ve had in my own decade in the military and in Afghanistan,” he said.

Mr Douma will receive a $10,000 cash prize, and his art work will be displayed at the Australian War Memorial and added into the National Collection. Mr Douma will also receive a two-week research residency in the Art Section of the Memorial, and a mentoring day with former official war artist Ben Quilty.

The artwork was selected from a short list of 35 entries. Memorial Director Dr Brendan Nelson said the judging panel had a difficult time deciding on a single, winning art work. 

“The Memorial received art works of such a high standard it was incredibly difficult to choose the winning piece.”

“Douma’s work integrates all the elements of what both I and the rest of the judging panel believe the Napier Waller prize should represent – art as a pathway to understanding and healing scars or painful memories left by their experience; but also pride in the service they have provided their county.

We are extremely proud to welcome the work into the National Collection,” Dr Nelson said. 

“Soldiers carry the scars of their experiences long after they leave the battlefield, so it is important they have access to programs and outlets that aid in their recovery from combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder,” University of Canberra Executive Dean of Arts and Design Professor Sally Burford. 

 We know creative arts has an enduring and positive effect on the brave men and women who serve for their country. The Napier Waller Art Prize demonstrates the ongoing efforts of many to help current and former Defence personnel manage and overcome the pain and trauma they experience.”

The judging panel included the Director of the Australian War Memorial Dr Brendan Nelson, Chairman of the Council of the Australian War Memorial Mr Kerry Stokes AC, Ms Christine Simpson Stokes, Mr Ben Quilty, former Director of the National Gallery of Australia Dr Gerard Vaughan AM, the University of Canberra’s Distinguished Professor of Creative Practice, Jenn Webb, Chief of the Defence Force, General Angus Campbell, AO, DSC; Gary Dawson, Thales; and Laura Webster, Head of Art at the Memorial.

Generously sponsored by The Road Home, an exhibition of the 12 Highly Commended works will be displayed in Anzac Hall’s mezzanine area from 21 September to 25 November 2018. 

The 35 shortlisted works can be viewed at: https://www.awm.gov.au/visit/exhibitions-online/napier-waller-art-prize.

Additional information: https://www.awm.gov.au/get-involved/grants-scholarships-and-residencies/napier-waller-art-prize

Images of artists with their artwork are available on request.

NOTE: As part of its commemoration of the centenary of the Armistice which ended the First World War a line of commemorative car poppies is available through the Memorial shop and website. All proceeds are invested back into the Memorial’s collection and operations, and a portion of all sales will be donated to Legacy.