ATONG ATEM
Though Atong Atem has been honing her artistic practice for years, the past six months have represented a stratospheric rise for the Ethiopia-born, Melbourne-based artist. Known for her striking portraiture and use of vivid fabrics that reframe the mechanics of colonialism in Africa (see page 138), in March this year, Atem became the winner of the inaugural La Prairie Art Award, which, in partnership with the Art Gallery of New South Wales and Vogue Australia, aims to create a global platform for female contemporary artists. “For me, that concept of culture, lineage and identity being something inherited, is what’s drawn me to wanting to participate in an art history [of Africa] that I feel deeply connected to, despite being someone who lives here in Australia,” she explains.
As an artist, Atem was excited to be given creative input on her shoot with Vogue (see page 30), and chose to have her picture taken, flipping the gaze in lieu of the photographic self-portraits that are so prevalent in her art practice. As colour and fabric are vital in her work, Atem, an avid follower of fashion, chose the current guard of local designers that gelled with her love of visually rich fabrics and together present a fresh vision of contemporary Australian fashion. She also made the decision to be photographed with mother, Anna Abul Malual and sister, Nancy Atem, telling Vogue that they’re “two of the biggest supporters I have in my life”.
The opportunity to be on set with her sister and mother, the latter of whom came here with Atem as refugees from Kenya, was revelatory. “There was a moment on the day of the shoot where Mum pulled me aside, and said: ‘When I was pregnant with you, this is not even the last thing I thought we’d be doing,’” Atem told Vogue’s Edwina McCann. “She has sacrificed more than I can fathom in order for me to be alive, let alone to thrive and make work and be award for it.” As for Anna’s on-set professionalism, Atem says jokingly, “I just want you all to know that Naomi Campbell’s done, and Anna is the new supermodel extraordinaire.”