The opening night of the Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award is a major dry season event in Darwin and attracts visitors and artists from all over the country. The evening provides free entertainment from Indigenous traditional and contemporary performers in a classic tropical sunset beachside setting on the lawns in the MAGNT grounds. The event, at which winners are announced and prizes presented, is free and includes entrance to the exhibition. All are invited to BYO food and drink.
The 2005 exhibition features 119 works in a wide range of themes, styles and media including paintings on bark, canvas and paper, prints, sculpture, fibre art, ceramics, glass, photography, digital media and video.
The winners of the 2005 Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award were the Blackstone Tjanpi Weavers Kantjupayi Benson, Nuniwa Donegan (dec’d), Angaliya Mitchell, Margaret Donegan, Melissa Donegan, Mary Smith, Freda Lane, Diedre Lane, Elaine Lane, Wendy Lane, Janet Lane, Janet Forbes, Shirley Bennet, Gail, Angela Lyon, Sarkaway Lyon, Ruby Forbes, Jean Lane Ngaanyatjarra for their Tjanpi Grass Toyota 2005 made from raffia, grass, jute string, chicken wire and steel.
