Gunybi Ganambarr in front of his winning work Buyku (2018). Image courtesy of MAGNT photographer, Merinda Campbell.
The National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA) aims to showcase the very best Australian Indigenous art from around the country. The Awards were founded by the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), and remain the nation’s first and longest-running awards dedicated to Indigenous art and artists, now awarding $80 000 in prizes to artists each year.
The Awards are open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists over the age of 18. There is no particular theme or restriction regarding work that can be entered. All awards are non-acquisitive.
The Telstra Art Award of $50,000 cash is awarded to the work considered by judges to be the most outstanding work in the exhibition.
Prizes are also awarded in each of the following categories:
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Telstra Bark Painting Award – $5000
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Telstra General Painting Award – $5000
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Telstra Works on Paper Award (includes photography, print making, drawing etc.) – $5000
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Wandjuk Marika Memorial Three-Dimensional Award sponsored by Telstra – $5000
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Telstra Multimedia Award (for multidisciplinary and digital works) – $5000
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Telstra Emerging Artist Award (awarded from any medium and for artists working within their first five years of practice who have not been displayed in a major gallery) – $5000
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Telstra People’s Choice Award
Announcements of winners were made at the opening ceremony for the exhibition at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) in Darwin on 10 August 2018.
A People’s Choice Award will be presented to the artist whose artwork receives the highest number of votes from visitors to the Award exhibition.
The winners are:
Telstra Art Award
Gunybi Ganambarr, Buyku, etching on aluminium board, 2018, 300 x 300 cm.
Gunybi Ganambarr, the overall winner of the 2018 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art awards, with his winning work, Buyku. Photograph: Fiona Morrison
Telstra Bark Painting Award
Napuwarri Marawili, Baraltja Dugong Yathikpa, natural pigments on Stringybark, 2017, 203 x 78 cm.
The winner of the bark painting award, Napuwarri Marawili, with his work Baraltja Dugong Yathikpa. Photograph: Fiona Morrison
Telstra General Painting Award
Peter Mungkuri, Ngura (Country), ink and synthetic polymer paint on linen, 2018, 243 x 198 cm.
Telstra Works on Paper Award
Kathy Inkamala, Mount Gillen, Western MacDonnell Ranges, pigment ink and gouache on Arches 300gsm cold-press paper, 2018, 30 x 100 cm.
The winner of the works on paper award, Kathy Inkamala, with her work Mount Gillen, West MacDonnell Ranges. Photograph: Fiona Morrison
Wandjuk Marika Memorial Three-Dimensional Award sponsored by Telstra
Wukun Wanambi, Destiny, natural pigments on Stringybark pole and video, 2018, 280 x 200 x 200 cm (overall).
The winner of the Wandjuk Marika memorial 3D award, Wukun Wanambi, with his work Destiny. Photograph: Fiona Morrison
Telstra Multimedia Award
Patrina Liyadurrkitj Mununggurr, Dhunupa’kum nhuna wanda (Straightening your mind), film, 2018, video duration: 1.33 minutes.
Patrina Liyadurrkitj Mununggurr, winner of the multimedia award, with her work Dhunupa’kum nhuna wanda (Straightening your mind). Photograph: Fiona Morrison
Telstra Emerging Artist Award
Matthew Dhamuliya Gurruwiwi, Banumbirr (Morning Star Poles), natural pigments, feathers, bush string, bush wax and Milkwood.
The winner of the emerging artists award, Matthew Dhamuliya Gurriwiwi, with his work Banumbirr (Morning Star). Photograph: Fiona Morrison