Ida Sophia, a South Australian artist, has emerged as the winner of the prestigious Ramsay art prize, one of Australia’s most significant art awards. The acquisitive prize, valued at $100,000 and open to artists under 40, saw Sophia’s video work titled “Witness” triumph over 26 other shortlisted artists. The competition, now in its fourth edition, attracts entries from more than 300 artists working in various mediums. Sophia, a 34-year-old multidisciplinary artist, incorporates performance, sculpture, and video into her practice.
“Witness,” Sophia’s winning entry, is a captivating 12-minute film that portrays the artist repeatedly submerged in a body of water. Shot in a single take at South Australia’s Pool of Siloam, the film showcases a baptismal scene where Sophia is cradled by a man and immersed in the lake in a pendulum-like motion. The film’s intensity grows as the camera zooms in, and the soundtrack intensifies, creating an evocative experience for viewers.
Throughout her career, Sophia has explored themes of discomfort and the human body. In previous performances, she used volcanic stone to make impressions on her skin and invited audiences to write on her body with markers. Drawing inspiration from her childhood experience of witnessing her father’s baptism, Sophia delves into the relentless actions we undertake, even when our energy could be better directed elsewhere.
The judging panel, consisting of Aaron Seeto, Erin Coates, and Nici Cumpston, praised Sophia’s work for its technical sophistication and deeply emotive subject matter. The video successfully conveys a visceral experience, a challenging feat in the medium of video art.
Other finalists in the Ramsay Prize exhibition at the Art Gallery of South Australia also explore themes of discomfort and the human form. Abdul Abdullah’s painting “Legacy Assets” questions the presence of sex offenders in public collections, while Sarah Drinan’s painting “Milking Mother and Daughter” portrays abstracted figures leaking breast milk onto a shadowy backdrop. Badra Aji contemplates displacement and identity in his pencil illustration titled “Only In The Dark, You’ll Love Me Colourlessly/Hanya Dalam Gelap Kau Kan Mencintaiku Tanpa Warna.”
Emma Buswell’s installation, “Suburban Turrets,” takes a different approach by featuring oversized knit jumpers with satirical slogans, challenging the notion of homeownership fantasies.
Visitors can view the Ramsay prize finalists’ works, including “Witness,” at the Art Gallery of South Australia until August 27. Sophia’s winning artwork will become a part of the gallery’s permanent collection, solidifying her place as a celebrated artist in the Australian art scene.