2025. Some of the finalists had travelled from other provinces, carrying with them not just their artwork but the support and pride of their communities. For most, it was the first time their work had been recognised on such a grand scale. The air was electric as the winners were announced, each name met with cheers and pride. The grand prize and K25,000 cash went to Abednego Meoree, who spent 50 hours over five weeks painstakingly rendering a delicate charcoal piece titled “Seeker of the Promises”. Inspired by his four- year-old daughter, the work depicts a young girl with a book in her right hand and a candle in her left. “It tells the story of a generation poised to illuminate the path forward,” Abednego wrote. “Far from mere illumination, the candlelight is the embodiment of resilience, hope and the enduring spirits of Papua New Guinea.” A lawyer, Abednego also used the opportunity of his acceptance speech to challenge the government to invest in the art industry more – “not only in terms of finance but in legislative reforms and policies to protect creativity and support our artists, right across the length and breadth of our nation. “I take this very unique opportunity to encourage artists to be creative and express through art… We have tonnes of talent, I always believe in our potential to tell our stories to the world and share it so I encourage every individual interested in our stories, our legends – these have to be narrated within and beyond our shores. The successes, the failures, the hopes, can only be told in art.” Winner of the Youth Prize (13-17 years) was 15-year-old Brooklyne Stegman, who travelled to POM from Goroka to receive K5000 in cash plus K5000 in art supplies
Akis Open Art Prize winner, “Seeker of the Promises”, Charcoal Pencil on Paper, by Abednego Meoree
of that we got nothing and we struggled very hard.” However Joseph said he was thankful of the recognition the competition had given his late father, and flagged that the Akis family would be launching their own art-related project in Madang in
Akis Art Prize inaugural winner Abednego Meoree, accompanied on the podium by his daughter, spoke of the need for PNG people to tell their stories to the world through art
VOLUME 41 2025
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