For the second year running Australian Ethical sponsored the Australian Ethical Art Prize with all entries exhibited at the TAP Gallery in Darlinghurst, Sydney. The winner of the 2008 Ethical Art Prize was Amanda Seddon.

After a week of exhibiting the entries at the TAP Gallery, the prize was awarded to Amanda last Saturday, 17 May. Soul Economy had the pleasure of asking Amanda about the meaning behind this wonderful piece of work.

“The work was a large scale cryptic which I like to call a meditative piece! Artists were asked to reflect upon the Australian Ethics Charter. In reflection upon the charter, the work turned out to be a meditative response about the individuals duty upon doing what’s right in everyday life.

As a mother and an artist, I find it so very challenging in maintaining a totally ethical lifestyle. Be it recycling, taking care of the natural environment, buying and sometimes being able to afford Australian produce, the list is endless, and is no easy task to make sure you can always be ethically considerate in everything that you do. We live in a society where things are made to be easier, rather than ethically sustaining.

The work hopefully represents an overwhelming feeling, an individual almost overcome by an indiscriminate sea of unlabelled elements. There should be a feeling of diligence of dealing with the intrepretive issues though, as the depicted charcter takes a deep breath, ready to wade through further, rather than drown.

The work was designed not to confront the viewer with a specific message, but instead, to act as a catalyst to facilitate the state of individual thought within the context of the show.

I was very glad that the work was well received by many at the show, and I was very impressed that the Australian Ethical investment and superannuation company, along with the TAP gallery were so innovative in creating and presenting such an art award. I was also very inspired by many of the other exhibiting artists works at the show.”

To see more of Amanda Seddon’s great work check it out at http://www.myspace.com/ajay180

In turning over the card there was the usual part about “made using 100% recycled paper” but then I continued to read on, to the amazing part of the text – that the card itself actually contains native Pink Tea Tree seeds! To grow these you soak the postcard until soft, place in potting mix and cover with a thin layer of soil, water well and keep moist. The seeds should then germinate in 1 to 2 weeks. What a fabulous idea! The card serves a dual purpose as both a promotional tool and a way to further the desired outcome.

I have to admit that I am certainly no green thumb, but am intrigued to plant this card and see what happens….

If you wish to find out more about the Rozelle Bay Community Native Nursery, click here.