Finalists announced for 2022 Telstra NATSIA Awards

Now in its 38^th year, the Telstra NATSIA Awards are the longest running Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art awards in Australia. 65 finalists have been announced for this year’s awards, from a pool of 221 entries. The award ceremony will be held on 5 August and the accompanying exhibition will be open at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) in Darwin from 6 August to 15 January 2023.

Marcus Schutenko, director of MAGNT, said: “Congratulations to this year’s Telstra NATSIAA finalists. We are stirred by such ambitious and deeply moving works from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across Australia. MAGNT and Telstra look forward to sharing trailblazing artistic practice, surprising forms and mediums, and artist stories with wide audiences.”

Andy Penn, CEO of Telstra, said: “Art is an amazing storytelling platform, and for over 30 years, the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards has provided an opportunity for the rich and diverse stories of our First Nations people to be told.”

This year’s finalist selection panel comprised of Glenn Iseger-Pilkington, Wadjarri, Nhanda and Nyoongar man, artist, and Fremantle Arts Centre curator; Tina Baum, Gulumirrgin (Larrakia), Wadaman, and Karajarri woman and National Gallery of Australia curator and Rebekah Raymond, Arabana, Mualgal, and Wuthathi woman and MAGNT curator.

The selection panel said: “2022 saw us reviewing a vast number of exceptional works, which was incredibly encouraging given the challenges that artists and communities have faced over the last 12 months. We commend all of the artists who have managed to create work during the continuing pandemic, the recent flooding and severe weather events, and the countless challenges faced as individuals, families and communities.”

A list of finalists can be found below.

NEW SOUTH WALES

Thea Anamara Perkins (Sydney)

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Alison Puruntatameri (Pirlangimpi), Barayuwa Munuŋgurr (Yirrkala), Bonnie Burarngarra (Yilan), Charles Jangala Inkamala (Mparntwe/Alice Springs), Dhambit Munuŋgurr (Gunyaŋara), Djerrkŋu Yunupiŋu (Yirrkala), Doris Bush Nungarrayi (Papunya), Gary Philip Lee (Darwin), Glen Namundja (Gunbalanya), Graham Rostron (Jabiru), Gutingarra Yunupiŋu (Yirrkala), Hubert Pareroultja (Alice Springs), Irene Henry (Kapalga), Jack Green, Stewart Hoosan, Nancy McDinny (Borroloola), Joe Guymala (Gunbalanya), Johnny Warrkatja (Gapuwiyak), Judy Long Nampijinpa (Ali Curung), Kieren Karritpul (Nauiyu/Daly River), Lena Yarinkura (Ankabadbirri), Louise Robertson (Alice Springs), Margaret Rarru Garrawurra (Laŋarra/Howard Island and Yurrwi/Milingimbi), May Yamangarra (Ramingining), Michelle Woody Minipinni (Milikapiti), Moyurrurra Wunuŋmurra (Gäŋgäŋ), Munhala Dhamarrandji (Yirrkala), Pedro Wonaeamirri (Milikapiti), Peggy Griffiths – Madij (Jiylinum), Ray Mudjandi (Djirrbiyak), Rekay Munuŋgurr (Yirrkala), Rhonda Sharpe (Yarrenyty Arltere Town Camp, Alice Springs), Samson Bonson (Maningrida), Voight Ratara (Ntaria/Hermannsburg) Wanapati Yunupiŋu (Birany Birany)

QUEENSLAND

Brian Robinson (Cairns), Dylan Sarra (Brisbane), Gail Mabo (Townsville), Jimmy John Thaiday (Erub, Torres Strait), Philomena Yeatman (Yarrabah), Simone Maree Arnol (Cairns)

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Alfred Lowe (Adelaide), Betty Muffler (Indulkana), Beverly Burton (APY Lands), Iwantja Men’s Collaborative (Indulkana), Juanella McKenzie (Port Augusta), Keith Minunga (Oodnadatta), Kunmanara Carroll (Ernabella), Sally Scales (Adelaide), Tiger Yaltangki (Indulkana), Tjunkaya Tapaya OAM (Ernabella), Tuppy Ngintja Goodwin (Mimili), Yaritji Young and Tjungkara Ken Collaborative (Amata)

VICTORIA

Kent Morris (Melbourne)

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Alice Guiness (Ieramugadu/Roebourne), Angelina Guluwulla Karadada Boona (Kalumburu), Bruce Phillip Bradfield (Geraldton), Ian Rictor (Tjuntjuntjara), Joy Nginana Lyons (Papulankutja/ Blackstone), Leah Umbagai (Mowanjum), Louise Malarvie (Kununurra), Muuki Taylor OAM (Parnngurr), Nola Yurnangurnu Campbell (Wanarn), Patju Presley (Tjuntjuntjara), Tyrown Waigana (Perth), Yukultji Napangati (Kiwirrkura)