The 40th Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, installation shot. Courtesy: the artists and Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), Darwin.
Australia’s longest running and most prestigious Indigenous art awards, the 40th Telstra NATSIAA exhibition aims to showcase the very best in Australian Indigenous art by contemporary artists from across Australia.
Each year, the Telstra NATSIAA exhibition captures the attention of the nation with an inspiring breadth of work from emerging and established Indigenous artists. 2023 is also a milestone moment as the gallery celebrates the 40th anniversary of Telstra NATSIAA. Since 1984, MAGNT has proudly presented NATSIAA on Larrakia Country. The establishment of NATSIAA came at a vital time when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and artists were first widely being recognised, artistically, critically and commercially.
In 2023, Telstra NATSIAA will see an increasing variety of art forms and media, collectively demonstrating the richness and diversity of current contemporary Indigenous artistic practice, and the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices, nationwide, within the visual arts.
Making the awards even more significant today: Telstra NATSIAA is now the richest art award in the country, with prize money across the seven categories more than doubling thanks to an ongoing partnership between MAGNT and Principal Partner Telstra. Artists will share in a total of $190,000 with the prize money for the major Telstra Art Award doubling to $100,000, and each award category prize tripling from $5,000 to $15,000.
Finalists for the 2023 award include Brenda L Croft, Shaun Angeles Penangke, Jingalu, Owen Yalandja, Mary Dhapalany, Graham Badari, Motorbike Paddy Ngale, Carbiene McDonald Tjangala, Harry Guyumbirrirr Malibirr, Doris Arlyetilhe Thomas, Samson Bonson, Kaye Brown, Raelene Kerinauia Lampuwatu, Dhopiya Yunupiŋu, Muluymuluy Wirrpanda, Stanley Ebatarinja, Naminapu Maymuru-White, Napuwarri Marawili, Billy Tjampijtinpa Kenda, Joanne Napangardi Wheeler, Dhalmula Burarrwaŋa, Noeleen Danjibana Lalara, Glen Namundja, Balwaldja Wanapa Munuŋgurr, Matthew Djipurrtjun Teapot, Janice Murray Pungautiji, Gaypalani Waṉambi, Gunybi Ganambarr, Yalmakany Marawili, Julie Nangala Robertson, Nyinta Donald, Dulcie Sharpe, Arnold Joseph Tipiloura, Wurrandan Marawili, Mandy Quadrio, Elisa Jane Carmichael, Alick Tipoti & Dhamuwkoedal cultural team, Jimmy John Thaiday, Shirley Macnamara, Janet Koongotema, Warraba Weatherall, Keith Wikmunea, Mrs Heffernan, Naomi Kantjuriny, Rachael Lionel, George Cooley, Tanya Van Horen, Anne Nginyangka Thompson, Yaritji Tingila Young, Iluwanti Ken, Frank Young, Emma Singer, Betty Campbell, Barbara Mbitjana Moore, Umatji Tanya Tjapalyi, Jeanette James, Jahkarli Felicitas Romanis, Corban Clause Williams, Betty Bundamurra, Wendy Hubert, Patrick Mung Mung, Eileen Bray Joomena and Michael Jalaru Torres.
The Awards Ceremony will be held Friday 11 August.
