About the Artwork

“Darcy Vescio is a hero of AFL Women’s League”, Mia says.

“Darcy played in the inaugural AFLW season with the Carlton Blues. I took my 5-week old daughter to the game, Carlton scarf in hand.
We sat in awe amongst a crowd of thousands watching them kick 4 goals on debut … kicking more than Collingwood’s entire score
by themselves!

Darcy is an advocate for gender equality and agreed to be photographed by me as part of a project supporting women/ trans/ non-binary people experiencing homelessness. Darcy is also very funny.”

About the Artist

Mia Mala McDonald has dedicated her career to capturing the true essence of her subjects through portraiture.

In 2021, Mia won the prestigious Martin Kantor Portrait prize with this image of Darcy Vescio. Mia’s talent has also been acknowledged through numerous accolades, selected as a finalist in competitions such as the National Portrait Prize, Olive Cotton Photographic Prize, Josephine Ulrick and Win Schubert Photography Award, Bowness Prize, Iris Portrait Prize, and Moran Portrait Prize. In 2023 she was awarded the Australian Women in Music Award, Photographer of the Year.