Media Release
Top End Group School wins human rights art prize
11 December 2007
The Top End Group School has won a $500 art award for their entry in the Darwin Community Legal Service’s annual Human Rights Art Exhibition.
The two judges, His Honour, the Administrator Mr Tom Pauling QC and Anita Angel curator of Charles Darwin University’s Art Collection, were enchanted by the school’s entry of 10 painted silk banners.
“They transformed the Supreme Court as a public venue and as a forum where justice is dispensed. The banners communicate a very clear, strong human rights message about breaking the chain of substance abuse and violence on remote communities and in the city,” Ms Angel said.
The Administrator Mr Tom Pauling QC added, “The banners and their message are both literally and symbolically uplifting.”
Top End Group School Principal Greg Minogue said the 3m banners, which were made by 15 remote schools during a unit of work on drug education, contain powerful messages about what our children are thinking about in their young lives.
“In essence, they recognise every child’s human right to a life free of the negative influences of drugs.”
Mr Minogue thanked artist-in-residence Janie Andrews who worked with students at each of the remote schools that make up the Top End Group School to create the artwork.
“Ms Andrews showed our children how to express their thoughts, concerns and fears about drugs in these banners,” Mr Minogue said.
The Group School’s winning entry will be on display at the Rights on Show exhibition in the foyer of the Supreme Court in Darwin from 9-5pm daily until Friday 14 December.