Telstra Art Award Finalists Announced by Language

This year’s Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Awards Telstra (NATSIAA) finalists have been announced and, as Jeremy Eccles comments, there’s a lot of new names and, for the first time, the finalists have been listed by language group.

Here’s the breakdown. From 238 entries, 31 finalists live in the Northern Territory, 11 in South Australia, 10 in Queensland, 13 in Western Australia, three in New South Wales, two in Tasmania and two artists in Victoria. A whopping 21 finalists are emerging artists in their first five years of practice.

Says MAGNT Director, Adam Worrall, “With 21 finalists falling under the emerging artist category [this year’s] NATSIAA highlights the vitality and innovation of the next generation of Aboriginal artists and … the talent, strength of culture and new directions being explored by artists this year is astounding.”

The NATSIAAs are, “…an exciting national platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their culture and creative talents [and] it is a privilege to celebrate the incredible talent of the artists as well as help share their stories across Australia,” says Group Executive at Telstra, Lyndall Stoyles. “I congratulate all the finalists and we look forward to seeing the exhibition open in June on Larrakia Country.”

Judges this year are Kelli Cole, Director Curatorial and Engagement, National Aboriginal Art Gallery; Janina Harding, Creative Victoria Senior Project Manager, Victorian First Peoples Art and Design Fair; and, Rebekah Raymond, MAGNT Curator of Aboriginal Art and Material Culture.

Here’s the finalists, listed by State – and language:

NSW
Delma Praljak-Trindall, Kamilaroi language
Stacey Louise Hampton, Gamilaraay language
Thea Anamara Perkins, Arrernte and Kalkadoon languages

NT
Aileen Napaljarri Long, Warlpiri language
Alfonso Puautjimi, Tiwi language
Artists of Ampilatwatja, Alyawarre and Kaytetye languages
Billy Tjampitjinpa Kenda, Luritja and Pitjantjatjara languages
Bobby West Tjupurrula, Pintupi and Luritja languages
Bulthirrirri Wunuŋmurra, Yolŋu Matha language
Burŋanydji Gaykamaŋu, Yolŋu Matha language
Carol Puruntatameri, Tiwi language
Charles Jangala Inkamala, Arrernte and Western Arrernte languages
Conrad Tipungwuti Kamilowra, Tiwi language
Dhukumul Waṉambi, Dhuwal language
Gaypalani Waṉambi, Yolŋu Matha language
Grace Kemarre Robinya, Anmatyerr and West Arrernte languages
Helen Ganalmirriwuy Garrawurra, Dhuwala language
Joe Dhamanydji, Gupapuyngu and Dhuwal languages
Joe Guymala, Kunwinjku language
Johnathon World Peace Bush, Tiwi language
Julieanne Gitjpulu Malibirr, Ganalbingu language
Louisa Kngwarray Long, Alyawarr and Anmatyerr languages
Lucy Yarawanga, Gurrgoni language
Marcus ‘Double O’ Camphoo Kemarre, Kaytetye and Alyawarr languages
Milminyina Dhamarrandji, Yolŋu Matha language
Motorbike Paddy Ngal, Anmatyerr language
Nancy Long Nungarrayi and Rene Long, Nungarrayi
Kaytetye and Warlpiri languages
Obed Namirrkki, Kuninjku language
Russell Ngadiyali Wanapuyngu, Wagilak language
Sally M Nangala Mulda Luritja, Arrernte and Pitjantjatjara languages
Steven Jupurrurla Nelson, Warlpiri language
Wally Wilfred, Wagilak language
Wayilkpa Maymuru, Yolŋu Matha language
Wurrandan Marawili, Yolŋu Matha language

QLD
Bernard Lee Singleton, Umpila and Djabugay/Yirrgay languages
Brian Robinson, Kala Lagaw Ya and Wuthathi languages
Clare Jaque Vasquez, Gomeroi and Kamilaroi languages
David Bosun, Kala Lagaw Ya language
Dylan Sarra, Gooreng Gooreng and Taribelang languages
Garry Namponan, Wik-Alkan and Wik-Mungkan languages
Janet Fieldhouse, Kalaw Lagaw Ya and Meriam Mir languages
Janet Koongotema, Wik-Mungkan language
Karen Klimm-Richardson, Kuku Yulanji and Kokolamalama languages
Shannon Brett, Wakka Wakka, Butchulla and Gooreng Gooreng languages

SA
Betty Campbell, Pitjantjatjara language
Betty Muffler, Pitjantjatjara language
Donna Coulthard, Adnyamathanha and Kuyani languages
Frank Young, Pitjantjatjara language
George Cooley, Yankunytjatjara language
Iluwanti Ken, Pitjantjatjara language
Josina Pumani, Pitjantjatjara language
LeShaye Swan, Arrernte and Warlpiri languages
Mardawi Lakun (Sister Weavers), Ngarrindjeri language
Muna Kulyuru, Pitjantjatjara language
Rene Sundown, Yankunytjatjara language

TAS
Dean Greeno, Palawa kani language
Louise Daniels, Palawa language

WA
Allery Sandy, Yindjibarndi language
Brett Nannup, Noongar language
Bugai Whyoulter, Kartujarra language
Doreen Chapman, Manyjilyjarra language
Helicopter (Joe Tjungurrayi), Kukatja and Manyjilyjarra languages
Lydia Balbal, Mangala language
Madeline Purdie, Nagula Jarndu Artists
Jabirr-Jabirr, Kija/Gooniyandi, Mayala, Noongar, Noongar/Torres Strait Islander, Walmajarri, Yawuru, Yawuru-Bardi Jawi, Yawuru/Karajarri languages
Melissa Sandy, Yindjibarndi language
Mervyn Street, Gooniyandi language
Natalie Davey, Walmajarri and Bunuba languages
Noli Rictor, Pitjantjatjara language
Tyrown Waigana Wandandi, Noongar and Ait Koedal languages