NATSIAA Finalists Chosen

94 First Nations artists have been named as finalists in the 2026 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, the NATSIAAs, highlighting the strength, diversity and innovation of contemporary Indigenous art across Australia. Now in its 43rd year, the art prizes continue to bring together Indigenous artists from remote art centres to inner-city studios across the country.
Their 64 successful works, selected from 221 entries, reflect themes of intergenerational storytelling, the continuation of cultures, connections to Country and the enduring impacts of Australia’s colonial history on individuals and communities.

Presented by the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) in Darwin in partnership with Telstra for the past 35 years, the Awards are recognised as Australia’s longest-running and most prestigious Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander prizes.

This year also marks 40 years of the Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award. This award commemorates Wandjuk Marika OBE (1927-1987), a Yolŋu man, artist and leader. The anniversary seems to have caused an explosion of no fewer than eighteen 3D entries to be judged.

The Awards have been curated and pre-selected by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peers, Gail Mabo from the Torres Strait (only one TSI finalist) and Dean Greeno from Tasmania (sadly, no Tassie seletions) alongside 2026 Guest Curator for the NATSIAAs, Dr Shannon Brett, a Wakka Wakka, Butchulla and Gurang Gurang artist, curator and researcher based in Magandjin (Brisbane). She won the NATSIA Works on Paper Award in 2024 for a photograph.

Familiar names selected for the final judging on August 7th include former winners Frank Young, Ishmael Marika, Jenifer Kemarre Martiniello, Gutiŋarra Yunupiŋu and Gunybi Ganambarr, plus Teho Ropeyarn, Sally Mulda and Anniebell Marrngamarrnga. Lesser-known names appearing include William Mareko, Kevin ‘Sooty’ Welsh, Ken Wayne Kantilla, Leshaye Swan and River Bali. The list of finalists is dominated by NT artists.

2026 Finalists
Australian Capital Territory
Jennifer Kemarre Martiniello OAM Lower Southern Arrernte. Lives in Canberra
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)

New South Wales
Kevin ‘Sooty’ Welsh Wayilwan. Lives in Wayilwan Coonamble
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)

Northern Territory
Adrian Jangala Robertson Warlpiri. Lives in Mparntwe, Alice Springs
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Anniebell Marrngamarrnga Kuninjku, Gun-nartpa. Lives Maningrida community/Ji-balbal outstation PIC
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Arnhem Land Collaborative (26 artists)
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Artists of Ampilatwatja: Elizabeth Ngwarraye Bonney, Nancy Pitjara Frank, Rita Pitjara Beasley,
Valerie Kemarre Lewis Alyawarre. Live in Ampilatwatja
Telstra Work on Paper Award
Barayuwa Munuŋgurr Miwatj. Lives in Rurraŋala
Telstra Bark Painting Award
Billy Tjampitjinpa Kenda Luritja, Pitjantjatjara. Lives in Mparntwe (Alice Springs)
Telstra General Painting Award
Binygurr Wirrpanda Yolŋu Matha. Lives in Yirrkala
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Cameron Kawurlkku Ndjébbana, Kuninjku. Lives in Manayingkarirra (Maningrida)
Telstra Bark Painting Award
Carol Puruntatameri Tiwi. Lives in Pirlangimpi Community, Tiwi Islands
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Colin Heenan-Puruntatameri Tiwi. Lives in Milikapiti
Telstra Multimedia Award
Graham Tipungwuti Tiwi. Lives on Wurrumiyanga (Bathurst Island)
Telstra Bark Painting Award
Gunybi Ganambarr Yolŋu Matha / Miwatj Region. Lives in Gäṉgan
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Guruwuy Murrinyina Yolŋu Matha / Miwatj Region. Lives in Gäṉgan
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Gutiŋarra Yunupiŋu Yolŋu Matha / Miwatj Region. Lives in Yirrkala
Telstra Bark Painting Award
Ishmael Marika Yolŋu Matha / Miwatj Region. Lives in Yirrkala
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Janet Marawarr Kuninjku. Lives in Maningrida
Telstra Work on Paper Award & Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Joe Guymala Kunwinjku. Lives in Gunbalanya
Telstra Work on Paper Award
Johnny Warrkatja Malibirr Ganalbingu. Lives in Gapuwiyak
Telstra General Painting Award
Julie Nangala Robertson Warlpiri. Lives in Yuendumu
Justine Anderson Pitjantjatjara. Lives in Finke
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Karen Rogers Ngalakan. Lives in Ngukurr
Telstra General Painting Award
Ken Wayne Kantilla Tiwi. Lives in Wurrumiyanga
Telstra Bark Painting Award
Kenan Namunjdja Kuninjku. Lives in Maningrida Community
Telstra Bark Painting Award
Louise Robertson Warlpiri. Lives in Alice Springs
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Napuwarri Marawili Yolŋu Matha / Miwatj Region. Lives in Yilpara
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Reginald Sultan Kaytetye. Lives in Darwin
Telstra General Painting Award
Rena Ngalinggama Guyula Djambarrpuyngu. Lives in Gapuwiyak
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Robert Namarnyilk Kunwingku. Lives in Jabiru
Telstra Work on Paper Award
Russell Ngadiyali Wanapuyngu Wagilak. Lives in Gapuwiyak
Telstra General Painting Award
Sabrina Nangala Robertson Warlpiri. Lives in Yuendumu
Telstra General Painting Award
Sally M Nangala Mulda Luritja, Pitjanjatjara, Arrernte, Yunkunytjatjara. Lives in Mparntwe/Alice Springs
Telstra General Painting Award
Semeria Wurrkidj Kuninjku. Lives in Maningrida
Telstra Bark Painting Award
Steven Jupurrurla Nelson Warlpiri. Lives in Yuendumu
Telstra General Painting Award
Ursula Napangardi Marks Warlpiri. Lives in Lajamanu
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Vanessa Inkamala Western Aranda. Lives in Alice Springs
Telstra General Painting Award
Walter Brooks Tiwi. Lives in Milikapiti
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Wanapati Yunupiŋu Yolŋu Matha / Miwatj Region. Lives in Yirrkala
Telstra Bark Painting Award
Warren Garrawitja Yolŋu. Lives in Darwin
Telstra General Painting Award
William Mareko Torres Strait Creole / Kalaw Lagaw Ya. Lives in Darwin
Telstra General Painting Award
Wulu Marawili Yolŋu Matha / Miwatj Region. Lives in Yirrkala
Telstra General Painting Award
Yalmakany Marawili Yolŋu Matha / Miwatj Region. Lives in Yirrkala
Telstra General Painting Award
Zora Mukumiri Kuninjku. Lives between Mankorlod Outstation and Maningrida
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra).

Queensland
Ryan Presley Marri Ngarr. Lives in Logan City
Telstra General Painting Award
Teho Ropeyarn Angkamuthi/Yadhaykana. Lives in Cairns
Telstra Work on Paper Award

South Australia
Betty Muffler Pitjantjatjara. Lives in Indulkana,
Telstra General Painting Award
Fiona Pompey Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara. Lives in Fregon
Telstra General Painting Award
Frank Young Pitjantjatjara. Lives in Amata
Telstra General Painting Award
George Cooley Yanyuwa. Lives in Coober Pedy
Telstra General Painting Award
Harriette Bryant Pitjantjatjara. Lives in Mimili
Telstra General Painting Award
Iluwanti Ken Pitjantjatjara. Lives in Amata
Telstra General Painting Award
Leshaye Swan Yankunytjara. Lives in Adelaide
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Ngarlaa, Ngayan and Ngintaka Donovan Adnyamathanha, Luritja, Lower Southern Arrernte and Gumbaynggirr. Live in Port Augusta
Telstra Multimedia Award
Tiarnie Rose Edwards Ngarrindjeri. Lives in Kaurna Yarta
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Zaachariaha Fielding Pitjantjatjara. Lives in Adelaide
Telstra General Painting Award

Victoria
Jenna Mayilema Lee Larrakia, KarraJarri, Wardaman. Lives in Melbourne
Telstra Work on Paper Award
Marlene Gilson Wadawurrung. Lives in Gordon
Telstra General Painting Award

Western Australia
Allery Sandy Yindjibarndi. Lives in Mingullutharndo Community (5 mile)
Telstra General Painting Award
Darryl Dempster Noongar. Lives in Perth
Telstra General Painting Award
Ian Rictor Pitjantjatjara. Lives in Tjuntjuntjara Community
Telstra General Painting Award
Michelle Anderson Pitjantjatjara. Lives in Tjuntjuntjara Community
Telstra General Painting Award
River Bali Gija/Kija. Lives in Byford
Telstra Work on Paper Award
Sylvia Wilson Martu. Lives in Parnpajinya (Newman)
Telstra General Painting Award

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