Sixty-eight First Nation artists from across Australia are finalists in the 2019 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA).
Telstra NATSIAA is diverse and accessible, welcoming entries from established and emerging artists who inspire audiences across Australia. This year’s exhibition highlights eight finalists for the Telstra Emerging Artist Award from across Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and the Northern Territory.
The 2018 Telstra NATSIAA Exhibition. Courtesy Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT). Photograph: Merinda Campbell
‘Telstra’s connection to the NATSIAA stretches back nearly 30 years, and we are always incredibly proud to be involved. The Awards now stand as a globally significant artistic celebration and enormous credit for that must go to MAGNT for providing such a brilliant showcase for the unique creativity and diverse talents of Indigenous artists. The quality and scope of the work this year is again superb. Whatever the style, whatever the medium, there is an extraordinary power and beauty in Indigenous art and I cannot wait to see it in person when the winners are announced in August.’ – Telstra CEO Andrew Penn
‘Once again, the calibre of this year’s Telstra NATSIAA finalists is extraordinary. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art continues to evolve, and Telstra NATSIAA continues to be the place to witness this shift in process,’ says MAGNT Curator of Aboriginal Art Luke Scholes said. ‘The Emerging Artist category continues to breathe new life into the Awards and the broader arts sector. It’s rewarding to profile these trailblazing artists and to share their skill, voice and cultures.’
The winners of the 36th Telstra NATSIAA will be announced at an awards ceremony at the Museum & Art Gallery of Northern Territory’s (MAGNT) Bullocky Point facility on Friday 9 August 2019.
The 2018 Telstra NATSIAA Exhibition. Courtesy Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT). Photograph: Merinda Campbell
The 2019 Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Awards finalists are:
Northern Territory:
B. Yunupingu, Barayuwa Munuŋgur, Betty Kuntiwa Pumani, Billy Tjampijinpa Kenda, Deborah Wurrkidj, Dhuwarrwarr Marika, Donald Thompson, Djambawa Marawili, Gary Lee, Grace Robinya, Gunybi Ganambarr, Gutingarra Yunupingu, Iluwanti Ken, Lance James, Lena Yarinkura, Lynette Lewis, Malaluba Gumana, Mantua Nangala, Marlene Rubuntja, Mary Dhapalany, Matjangka (Nyukana) Norris, Mick Wikilyiri, Napuwarri Marawili, Neville McArthur, Nola Campbell, Noŋgirrŋa Marawili, Nyunmiti Burton, Owen Yalandja, Sally M Mulda, Titus Nganjmirra, Tony Cameron, Wawiriya Burton, Witjiti George, Wurrandan Marawili, Yaritji Young, and Yimula Munuŋgurr
Victoria:
Cassie Leatham, James Tylor and Kent Morris
Australian Capital Territory:
Krystal Hurst
New South Wales:
Dean Cross
Queensland:
Danie Mellor, and Robert Tommy Pau
South Australia:
Carlene Thompson, Damien Shen, Ernabella Arts, Kaylene Whiskey, Nici Cumpston, Pepai Carroll, Peter Mungkuri, and Rupert Jack
Western Australia:
Bob Gibson, Bugai Whyoulter, Daisy Japulija, and Fred Grant, Christopher Pease, Glenn Iseger- Pilkington, John Prince Siddon, Lawrence Pennington, Mabel Juli, Mervyn Street, Myrtle Pennington, Ned Grant, Ngarralja Tommy May, Nyaparu Gardiner, Rusty Peters, Sonia Kurarra, and Timo Hogan
The 2018 Telstra NATSIAA Exhibition. Courtesy Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT). Photograph: Merinda Campbell
The year’s Telstra NATSIAA judging panel – Director of the Art Gallery of South Australia Rhana Devenport, Tiwi artist Wonaeamirri (Gurrumaiyuwa), and Senior Curator of Indigenous Cultures at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery Zoe Rimmer – will bring their diverse experiences to the nation’s first, most prestigious and longest-running awards dedicated to Indigenous art and artists. The presiding judges will present the awards at the Telstra NATSIAA Opening Night and Awards Ceremony on Friday 9 August. Categories include Telstra Bark Painting Award, Telstra General Painting Award, Telstra Works on paper Award, Wandjuk Marika Memorial Three-Dimensional Award (sponsored by Telstra), Telstra Works on Paper Award, Telstra Multimedia Award, and Telstra Emerging Artist Award.
Collectively the winners will receive $80,000.
The 2019 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA) Exhibition will be held at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory from 10 August to 3 November 2019.
