By now you know that some of the most important artwork in the country is being produced by First Nations artists – and the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA) are where you’ll find the best of the best!
Timo Hogan, an artist from WA’s remote Tjuntjuntjara community, took out the coveted Telstra Art Award (which comes with the prize of $50,000) for his 2020 work Lake Baker, which pays homage to the significance of his father’s Country.
‘I am very happy to have won this award. It makes me feel strong inside. Painting is important for Anangu (Aboriginal people) to tell their stories. The Art Centre is a good place for people to come and be together and paint their Country. I’m happy for this prize and that people see this work is important,’ said Timo.
Rebekah Raymond, an Arabana, Limilngan-Wulna, Wuthathi, and Mualgal woman, writer, and MAGNT’s Curator of Aboriginal Art and Material Culture says, ‘Timo has an extremely exciting future ahead of him – and the strength of his work comes because he opens his heart to us, and that’s a wonderful gift that he gives us.’
Rebekah makes note of the incredible variety of artworks present in this year’s NATSIAA – from paintings, sculptures, woven pieces and ceramic works, to photography, multimedia, installation and performance art. ‘While there might be different geographical locations and social contexts, I think that all of these artists are sharing what it means to be a First Nations person today, in all of its complexity and layers and responsibilities and heaviness…. it’s amazing to see artists of all ages innovating and expanding their practices in unexpected ways’, she says.
Read on to learn more about the winners, and what the judges had to say about their wonderful work!
Tjukapati James, Kungka Kutjara 2020. Courtesy of the artist and Tjarlirli Art
Angkaliya Curtis, Cave Hill 2021. Courtesy of the artist and Tjungu Palya Artists
Doris Bush Nungarrayi, Anangu tjuta at Nyunmanu & Papa Tjukurrpa 2020. Courtesy of the artist and Papunya Tjupi Arts
Left to right:
George Tjungurrayi, Tingari Men at Wilkinkarra 2021. Courtesy of the artist and Papunya Tula Artists.
Alycia Marrday, Baladjdji (backpack bag) 2021. Courtesy of the artist and Marrawuddi Arts & Culture
Djambawa Marawili, Lorr’ – the lair 2020. Courtesy of the artist and Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre
Betty Chimney, Ngayuku ngura My Country) 2020. Courtesy of the artist and Iwantja Arts
Charles Jangala Inkamala, Larapinta, go this way, Hidden Valley, Hermannsburg Road 2020. Courtesy of the artist and Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists
Djerrkŋu Yunupiŋu, Bukuway – the dream 2020. Courtesy of the artist and Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre
Bobby West Tjupurrula, Tingari Men at Palipalintja 2021. Courtesy of the artist and Papunya Tula Artists
Adrian Jangala Robertson, Yalpirakinu 2021. Courtesty of the artist and Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists
Left to right:
Noŋgirrŋa Marawili, Alchemy 2020. Courtesy of the artist and Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre
Napuwarri Marawili, Dark water 2020. Courtesy of the artist and Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre
Patrick Freddy Puruntatameri, Purukupali and Wai-ai (Bima) with Jurrukukuni (owl) and marriwiyi (ornaments) 2021. Courtesy of the artist and Jilamara Arts & Crafts Association
Nyangulya Katie Nalgood, Larmparn jirruku warnti 2021. Courtesy of the artist and Spinifex Hill Studio
Left to right:
Katjarra Butler, Wingantjirri 2020. Courtesy of the artist and Tjarlirli Art
Tjunkaya Tapaya, OAM, Kungkarangkalpa (Seven Sisters) 2021. Courtesy of the artist and Ernabella Arts
John Prince Siddon, My strange stories 2021. Courtesy of the artist and Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency
Left to right:
Nola Yurnangurnu Campbell, Yunpalara 2021. Courtesy of the artist and Warakurna Artists
Sonia Kurarra, Martuwarra 2021. Courtesy of the artist and Mangkaja Arts Resource Agency
Sally Scales, Wati Tjakura 2021. Courtesy of the artist and APY Art Centre Collective
Left to right:
Muluymuluy Wirrpanda, Buḻwutja 2021. Courtesy of the artist and Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre
Mary Katatjuku Pan, Animal tjuta – animals of Watarru 2021. Courtesy of the artist and Tjala Arts
Left to right:
Denise Brady, Pika kura panya 2020. Courtesy of the artist and Tjarlirli Art
Witjiti George, Piltati: Wanampi Tjukurpa 2021. Courtesy of the artist and Kaltjiti Arts
Left to right:
Yangyangkari Roma Butler, Ngayulu munu ngayuku papa (Me and my dogs) 2021. Courtesy of the artist and Tjanpi Desert Weavers
Rhonda Sharpe, My selfs with cowboy 2021. Courtesy of the artist and Yarrenyty Arltere Artists
MAGNT Director, Marcus Schutenko and MAGNT Curator of Aboriginal Art and Material Culture, Rebekah Raymond. Photo – Charlie Bliss.
Timo Hogan, Lake Baker 2020. Courtesy of the artist and Spinifex Arts Project Aboriginal Corporation. Photo – Philip Gostelow.
Left to right:
Bugai Whyoulter, Wantili (Warntili, Canning Stock Route Well 25) 2020. Courtesy of the artist and Martumili Artists
Pedro Wonaeamirri, Jilarti – still of live performance of Jilarti (brolga song) with pimirtiki (feather headpiece), imeuja (false beard), tokwayinga feather ball), tjimirrikamarka (fighting stick), tunga (folded bark bag) 2021. Courtesy of the artist and Jilamara Arts & Crafts Association
Left to right:
Dhambit Munuŋgurr, Bees at Gäṉgän 2021. Courtesy of the artist and Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre
Hubert Pareroultja and Mervyn Rubuntja, Through the veil of time 2021. Courtesy of the artist and Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre
Left to right:
Ms M Wirrpanda, Untitled 2021. Courtesy of the Estate of Ms M Wirrpanda and Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre
Kyra Mancktelow, Moongalba 11 2021. Courtesy of the artist and N.Smith Gallery
