By Louis Bullock
The South Australian Living Artists Festival (SALA) closing event for 2024 was held at the well fitting venue, Adelaide Centre Immersive Light and Art – celebrating emerging and established artists for their outstanding contributions and artistic achievements.
This year’s SALA had an astounding 10,598 artists participating in 706 exhibitions throughout Adelaide and regional South Australia.
Filipina Australia artist, Alyssa Powell-Ascura, is a rising emerging artist in the contemporary arts scene. She is known for her captivating personal storytelling across various creative mediums.
Powell-Ascura’s major solo exhibition ‘Halo-halo’ held at The Mill, was well received by the audience with two sold out public programs, including a ‘kamayan’ workshop. ‘Halo-halo’ was then named a Finalist for two awards at this year’s SALA – Unitcare Services Digital Media Award and City of Adelaide Award.
Amongst the main award categories, Alyssa went on to win the highly sought after City of Adelaide Award.
“To receive the City of Adelaide Award and be met with great recognition is deeply meaningful… It affirms that I am aiming in the right direction.”
“…(the exhibition) is an invitation to the wider society to understand Filipino heritage, historical relationships… It’s an insight to my self reflections…”
“I hope that ‘Halo-halo’ has been able to foster new ways to acknowledge Asian-Australian perspectives and how it varies”. Alyssa Powell-Ascura speaks of her win.
Considering the diverse migrant population of Australia, with varied stories and experiences, a body of work that speaks of these relatable integration experiences and identity exploration is more than fitting.
Presenting the award, Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith said proudly of Alyssa, “the notion of having someone who captures and synthesises migrant experience, and the fact that they have a foot in two countries is just…brilliant.” A wonderful way to put it.
This was particularly relevant for the exhibition and Alyssa as an artist, as the award recognises those whose work makes an effort to explore and/or celebrate the experience of the City of Adelaide.
As a result of the award, Alyssa will be working with the City of Adelaide on a public program to be held in 2025.
Follow Alyssa Powell Ascura on Instagram: @apowellascura and on her website: www.roseandcitrus.com/aly
