The City of Greater Geelong congratulates Deakin University, whose groundbreaking exhibition, ‘Perpetual Pigments: Sustainable Colour Continuous Culture,’ has emerged victorious at the prestigious Anthem Awards in New York, winning gold in its category.
Finalists were selected from more than 2,000 submissions from 44 countries.
The award ceremony, organised by The Webby Awards and hosted by the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences, acknowledges outstanding contributions in the field of social impact globally.
‘Perpetual Pigments’, which premiered at Geelong Design Week 2023, organised by the City of Greater Geelong, took out the Sustainability, Environment & Climate category for product innovation.
The triumph not only highlights Deakin’s commitment to innovation but also elevates the profile of Geelong as a UNESCO Creative City of Design on the global stage.
The exhibition, hosted at Deakin University’s Geelong Waterfront Campus, was a collaborative effort with support from Sustainability Victoria and Rip Curl. Featuring artwork by renowned First Nations artists:
- Elly Chatfield (Gamillaroi)
- Brandi Salmon (Wiradjuri – Tongan)
- Dr Jenny Murray-Jones (Yorta Yorta – Baraparapa)
- Kiri Tawhai (Noongar – Ngapuhi – NgatiTuwharetoa)
- Nikki McKenzie (Wadawurrung)
- Norm Stanley (Kurnai – Wotjabaluk)
The exhibition showcased the use of recycled pigments in a groundbreaking display of sustainable creativity.
First Nations artist Kiri Tawhai:
The Perpetual Pigments project (Sustainable Colour – Continuous Culture) was brilliant and represented the best combination of art and science.
To have that yarn that connects circular economy with First Nations ways of Knowing and sharing through visual storytelling, well it was just amazing to be a part of.
Big congratulations to all involved.
Key figures instrumental in the success of ‘Perpetual Pigments’ include Dr Russell Kennedy, Dr Tonya Meyrick, and Jacinta Kay from Deakin’s School for Communication and Creative Arts, along with Dr Rangam Rajkhowa, the lead researcher at Deakin’s Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM), and the dedicated team at IFM.
Mayor Trent Sullivan:
Perpetual Pigments explores innovative ways to divert coloured textile waste from landfills and repurpose large volumes of recycled textiles.
An award like this helps to build Geelong’s clever and creative reputation on the world stage.
Councillor Melissa Cadwell, chair of the Creativity and Culture portfolio:
By staging Geelong Design Week, the City of Greater Geelong aims to provide a platform for local designers to showcase their work.
Geelong Design Week is proving to be a really effective platform for people to develop and demonstrate their ideas and creativity.
Congratulations to Deakin and all of those who worked on ‘Perpetual Pigments’ – this type of outcome is exactly what Geelong Design Week is all about.
The Anthem Awards, established in 2021, have previously honoured notable figures such as Gloria Steinem, Ben & Jerry’s founders, and the Interactive Media Foundation. Deakin University now joins this prestigious list, further solidifying its position as a leader in sustainable design and environmental innovation.
