The NGV is currently celebrating South Sudanese, Melbourne-based contemporary artist Atong Atem, presenting her first ever major solo exhibition that opened earlier this week at The Ian Potter Centre. The exhibition, titled Passage: The Art of Atong Atem, surveys the past decade of the artist's practice, with more than 65 works on show, celebrating Atem's brilliant storytelling and exploration of identity. We spoke to the artist about their essence and this exhibition:

Your work explores so many important ideas - is there one thought that stands out?

I’ve recently been thinking a lot about the “terms of engagement” as an artist making work designed to be seen by the public.
I will never have control over how the work is interpreted and that’s not an issue, but I’m now considering the idea of a manifesto in response to history and the western art canon because my work leans heavily on philosophies intrinsic to my upbringing as a South Sudanese woman.
I’d like to work with other artists in my community to make these philosophies known and accessible.

How would you describe your DNA?

Equal parts obsessive, perfectionist, tybe B with a delicate heart.

I know you have been part of the NGV’s journey. How does it feel to have this solo exhibition at the Ian Potter centre?
The NGV has been a major part of my career. I first worked with them when I received the inaugural Mecca M- Power scholarship in 2014. As a young artist, the support of an institution can really allow your art career to flourish and I can say that’s been the case for me. I’m really honoured and I hope that I can make the most of this support.

What do you hope we might take from the exhibition?

I’ve put a lot of my brain into these works. I’m not sure if they’re explicitly about me but they are certainly about my perspective. I think about the world and how to navigate it because I haven’t got total certainty about anything other than the fact that I care. I hope that comes across in the work. I hope that people are intrigued and encouraged to question history and our place in the universe.

Were you creative from an early age?

Yes! I was always the kid in class doodling I her notebooks, lost in deep thought. I can’t imagine a life without a creative output.

First camera?

Holga 135 Canon 5D mk3.

Which other female photographers inspire you?

Hoda Afshar, Ruth Ossai, Liss Fenwick, Zanele Muholi and of course, Cindy Sherman.

We gather your mother and father have written essays to accompany the book that is being published alongside the exhibition - what’s the best part about that?
it means a lot to me that my parents have contributed because I speak so often about the collectivist nature of the culture I was born into. To be able to share some of that and to have their first person perspectives documented and to give my work greater context is incredible.

Words to live by that you could share with us?

If you can squeeze in a nap, always squeeze it in.

Advice to younger artists starting out?

Consume as much art from as many different mediums as you can. Read, watch films and engage with the work being made by your peers.

What’s next?

So many more works but also lots of rest and family time. I’m pretty content with my little life.

ngv.vic.gov.au