The Mill is thrilled to announce Oriana Julie Winston as the recipient of the Visual Arts Studio Residency in 2024. Supported by the Mahmood Martin Foundation, Oriana will receive 9-months of studio space and an exhibition outcome in The Mill’s Gallery II.
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Situated on Kaurna Land in Adelaide, Oriana pioneers a visual language deeply rooted in Afrofuturism, leveraging imagination as a technology to embrace empowering diasporic narratives within a past/future/now.
Blending bold visual and performance artistry, she sparks dialogue to collectively reimagine themes surrounding time, identity, and culture within the Anthropocene. This dynamic exploration is enriched by Oriana's African American and Italian ethnicity, creating a unique fusion of influences against the backdrop of Kaurna Land.
Within this futuristic narrative, Oriana finds liberation within her body as a powerful force, extending beyond Eurocentric conditions and limitations of the physical body in space. In 2022, Oriana graduated from a Bachelor of Visual Art at Adelaide Central School of Art, earning an invitation to pursue Honours. Her artistic journey spans interstate performances, securing various commissions, and residencies.
A defining moment in 2022 was her invitation to perform Mel O'Callaghan's Respire, Respire at the Samstag Museum of Art alongside artist Henry Wolfe, and Jingwei Bu. During the Nexus Arts Studio Residency Oriana engaged in a mentorship with Faye Blanche of the Unbound Collective, enriching her artistic perspective and earning her a nomination for the Don Dunstan Foundation Award.
Beyond her artistic pursuits, Oriana is the Director of SOLSPACE, a studio, and art therapy platform. Through workshops and public lectures, she passionately demonstrates how visual and performance art can be powerful tools for social, personal, and cultural empowerment, weaving together artistic practice and commitment to community engagement.
Photo: Morgan Sette
Outcomes
This Visual Arts Studio Residency is presented in co-operation with Mahmood Martin Foundation.