The Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) is excited to announce that 66 artists have been selected from 300 entries to be part of the country’s most prestigious national Indigenous art awards, the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAAs).

This year the Awards welcome a new generation of artists with the creation of two new categories “ the Telstra Multimedia Award and the Telstra Emerging Artist Award.

The Telstra Multimedia Award allows multi-disciplinary artists the opportunity to enter innovative and exciting works that include photography, graphic design, film, audio tape and other digital content. The Telstra Emerging Artist Award (evolving from the Telstra Youth Award) provides a tangible opportunity for artists of all ages who are in the first few years of their practice to gain exposure on a national stage and launch their career.

Luke Scholes, MAGNT Curator of Aboriginal Art, said: This year’s Awards celebrate the poignant narratives that represent Australia’s unique Indigenous voices. We are thrilled to see a new wave of artist submissions thanks to the new Telstra Multimedia Award and Telstra Emerging Artist Award.”

Presiding over this year’s Awards, the Telstra NATSIAA judging panel consists of curator, Emily McDaniel; Director, Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art, Chris Saines; and Aboriginal artist, Regina Wilson.

Emily McDaniel is an independent curator, writer and educator from the Kalari Clan of the Wiradjuri nation in central New South Wales. She has worked as the Assistant Curator of Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales and as the Aboriginal Emerging Curator for the 18th Sydney Biennale and in the same capacity for the Venice Biennale, 2017. Chris Saines has over 30 years’ experience working in leading public art institutions including 17 years at the helm of the Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki, overseeing the introduction of the Auckland Triennial. And Regina Wilson, winner of the Telstra NATSIAA General Painting Award in 2003, is a Ngan’ gikurrungurr woman from the Daly River region of the NT, and an acclaimed artist with a creative practice that spans more than 50 years. Wilson and her husband founded the Peppimenarti community and in 2001 instituted Durrmu Arts.

Telstra has passionately supported NATSIAA for 26 years, providing Australia’s Indigenous artists with a meaningful platform to be creative and innovative on a national stage. Telstra CEO Andrew Penn has said, Telstra’s connection with the NATSIAAs has broadened and deepened over the years, to the point where they have become part of our identity and a source of great organisational pride. At the heart of our support is the idea of connection “ to country, to community and to culture “ that runs through so much indigenous art and, more broadly, so much of the work Telstra does.

Which is supported by the recent news that the remote painting community Titjikala is the first township to receive mobile phone reception under a three-year, $30 million co-investment program between the Northern Territory Government and Telstra. Each has committed five million dollars per year over three years, resulting in at least eight new mobile base stations being constructed in the remote communities of Titjikala, Manyallaluk, Umbakumba, Bulman, Weemol, Minyerri, Kaltukatjara, and Yarralin. Further sites are also being investigated.

Every year, Andrew Penn continued, the Awards showcase the remarkable and distinctive creative talents of Indigenous artists from around the country. This year’s inclusion of the new Multimedia and Emerging Artist categories adds yet more creative and cultural scope and depth, further confirming the reputation and importance of the Awards.

Collectively the winners this year will receive $80,000 to assist in their career development. The seven winners will be announced at the awards ceremony and exhibition opening at MAGNT on Friday evening, 11 August 2017.

List of finalists by state or territory

New South Wales
Andy Snelgar
Penny Evans

Northern Territory
Anniebell Marrngnamarrnga
Barayuwa Munuŋgurr
Beth Inkamala Mbitjana
Bob Burruwal
Djirrirra Wunuŋmurra
Djuwakan #2 Marika
Gary Lee
Gunybi Ganambarr
Guykuḏa Munuŋgurr
Harold Joseph Thomas (Bundoo) – last year’s Big Telstra winner
Hubert Pareroultja
Marlene Rubuntja
Noŋgirrŋa Marawili
Nyapanyapa Yunupiŋu
Pedro Wonaeamirri
Rhonda Sharpe
Roland Burrunali
Timothy Cook
Yalti Napangati
Yolanda Rostron
Yukultji Napangati

Queensland
Archie Moore
Delissa Walker
Paul Bong
Robert Tommy Pau
Shirley Macnamara
Warraba Weatherall

South Australia
Alec Baker
Anwar Young, Unrupa Thonda Dick and Frank Young
Betty Muffler
David Frank
Iluwantji Ken, Mary Katajuku Pan
Jimmy Donegan, Willy Kaika Burton
Jimmy Pompey
Kaylene Whiskey
Matjangka (Nyukana) Norris
Mumu Mike Williams
Nyunmiti Burton
Nyurpaya Kaika
Paniny Mick
Pepai Jangala Carroll
Peter Mungkuri
Ray Ken
Robert Fielding
Rupert Jack
Taylor Cooper
Tiger Yaltangki
Tjungkara Ken
Vincent Namatjira
Watarru Collaborative
Wawiriya Burton
Yaritji Young

Victoria
Kent Morris
Lisa Waup
Christian Thompson

Western Australia
Billy Atkins Yunkurra
Illiam Nargoodah
Mervyn Street
Muuki Taylor
Neville McArthur
Ngarralja Tommy May
Nyarapayi Giles
Ray James Tjangala
Tjigila Nada Rawlins

There’s indication yet as to which artists are in which categories.