The 36th NATSIAA awards represent a ‘snapshot of the last 12 months of contemporary Aboriginal art’ explained MAGNA Curator of Aboriginal Art, Luke Scholes. In the middle of finalising the install of the exhibition, Luke took time to chat with us about the diverse entries that were submitted by First Nations artists from both regional and urban areas across Australia.
From the 68 finalists, seven award winners were announced on Friday night at the opening ceremony. The prestigious Telstra Art Award was won by Yolŋu artist Djambawa Marawili AM for his work Journey to America. The work of natural pigments on stringybark, depicts the artists recent travels to the USA to share Yolŋu philosophy. Five different states of water in Blue Mud Bay flow towards America, and the Statue of Liberty.
The artist’s combination of the Australia coat of arms and the iconic female ‘ancestral being’ of the Statue of Liberty is described by Luke as ‘emblematic of the global reach of Indigenous arts practice.’ Djambawa Marawili captures new connections and the international resonance of First Nations culture across the world.
Luke explains that the entries across all categories displayed a ‘real show of cultural identity.’ Read on below to view the stunning painting, works on paper, bark painting, 3D, multimedia and emerging artist awards.