Deborah Paauwe wins 2024 Wai Tang Commissioning Award

Deborah Paauwe has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Wai Tang Commissioning Award for her work ‘The other twin’. The award is presented by the Museum of Australian Photography (MAPh) as part of the William and Winifred Bowness Photography Prize. 

The decision was made unanimously by a distinguished selection committee, including MAPh Director Anouska Phizacklea and former Director Kallie Blauhorn. Funded generously by Kee Wong and Stacey Wang, the Wai Tang Commissioning Award celebrates exceptional contributions to Australian photography and provides artists with the opportunity to further their creative practice. 

Paauwe will receive $10,000 to support the exhibition of her work alongside the 2025 Bowness Photography Prize. Additionally, one of her pieces will be acquired into the MAPh collection. She joins previous winners Paula Mahoney, Janelle Low and The Huxleys.

She says: ‘In ‘The other twin’, I delve into the depths of female identity and childhood through photography. By embracing anonymity and concealed emotions, I prompt viewers to navigate the complexities of identity through the veil of secrecy. Using hair and crocheted doilies as masks, antique lace and vintage dresses as focal points, and the intertwining of hands, I weave a narrative that blurs the boundaries between the present self and a veiled past. This work exudes a layer of nostalgia and intricacy, revealing a realm where flaws and beauty coexist in harmony.

‘Through ambiguity and a focus on composition, I challenge viewers to interpret and connect with the artwork on a personal level, urging them to unravel the enigmatic tales woven within the frame.’

Her work has been exhibited internationally in over 35 solo shows and 100 group exhibitions, and her art is housed in major Australian collections, including the National Gallery of Australia and the Art Gallery of South Australia. She completed her MA in Fine Art at the Chelsea School of Art, London, and has been a key figure in contemporary Australian art for over two decades.