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2025 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards Finalists Announced
71 finalist works have been announced for this year’s 2025 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards Telstra (NATSIAA), Australia’s longest running and most prestigious art awards of its kind, presented by the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) and Principal Partner Telstra on Larrakia Country (Darwin).
Now in its 42nd year, the 2025 Telstra NATSIAA features Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across Australia, sharing incredible works reflecting the continuation of cultures, responses to current affairs and unerring connections to Country.
Telstra NATSIAA recognises the quality and diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art throughout Australia and continues to grow appreciation and understanding of First Peoples arts and cultural practice. The Telstra NATSIAA has been a career-changer for many of the finalists and award winners since its inception.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have shaped the Awards through their contributions as artists, curators, coordinators, selection panellists and judges.
Selected from 216 entries, all finalist works will be exhibited at MAGNT, Darwin, from 21 June 2025 until 26 January 2026 and are eligible to win one of the following award categories:
Telstra Art Award - $100,000
Telstra General Painting Award - $15,000
Telstra Bark Painting Award - $15,000
Telstra Work on Paper Award - $15,000
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (sponsored by Telstra) - $15,000
Telstra Emerging Artist Award - $15,000
Telstra Multimedia Award - $15,000
The Telstra People’s Choice Award, is a non-monetary award, chosen by popular vote. Members of the public can vote for their favourite work via a QR code for the duration of the exhibition.
Fast Facts
There were 216 entries with 71 finalists chosen.
38 finalists are from the Northern Territory, 8 from South Australia, 5 from Queensland, 10 from Western Australia, 3 from New South Wales, 1 from the ACT and 6 artists from Victoria were selected. There are no finalists from Tasmania this year.
14 finalists fall under the Emerging Artist category.
MAGNT Director, Adam Worrall
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art is a vital part of the social and cultural life of Australia. This year's Telstra NATSIAA presents 71 exceptional works, selected from over 200 entries, providing a snapshot of the finest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art created in the past year.
The continued support of Telstra is essential to ensuring these stories are seen, shared and celebrated.”
The 2025 Selection Panel
The finalists were selected by a panel consisting of Keith Munro, Karen Mills and Kate ten Buuren.
“The Selection Panel members are proud to have played this important role and we extend our deepest gratitude to all artists who submitted their artworks. It was a privilege to witness and discuss hundreds of masterful works that showcase the diverse and abundant creative practices from artists across the continent. We acknowledge all applicants for sharing their stories and art with us.
We were excited to see artists collaborating with one another, experimenting with new mediums and technologies, and sharing stories of contemporary life and issues. We were blown away by the skill of emerging artists, and artists working on bark and paper.
The selected works reflect the diverse practices and experiences of First Peoples today, exemplifying the richness of our stories, technical expertise and innovation in creative practice. We engaged in rigorous conversation, consideration and care when selecting the works, and we congratulate the 71 artists in this year’s Telstra NATSIAA.”
2025 Telstra NATSIAA Key Dates
Exhibition | Open from Saturday 21 June 2025 until Monday 26 January 2026
Awards Ceremony | Friday 8 August 2025
2025 Finalists
Australian Capital Territory (ACT)
Jennifer Kemarre Martiniello OAM
Irrwanyere Arrernte Imarnt / Lower Southern Arrernte. Lives in Canberra
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
New South Wales (NSW)
Gene Kelaher
Ngiyampaa Wangaaypuwan Pilaarrkiyalu. Lives in Belmore
Telstra General Painting Award
Virginia Keft Muruwari
Muruwari. Lives on Dharawal Country
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Emerging Artist
Wanita Lowe
Dunghutti-Biripi-Wiradjuri. Lives in Wollongong
Telstra General Painting Award
Emerging Artist
Northern Territory (NT)
Adrienne Watson
Kuninjku. Lives in Gunbalanya
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Aileen Napaljarri Long
Warlpiri. Lives in Tennant Creek
Telstra General Painting Award
Emerging Artist
Artists of Ampilatwatja: Alana Ngwarraye Holmes, Colleen Ngwarraye Morton, Dakota Ngwarraye Petrick, Denise Ngwarraye Bonney, Edie Kemarre Holmes, Elizabeth Ngwarraye Bonney, Jacinta Pula Morrison, Jessie Ngwarraye Ross, Julieanne Ngwarraye Morton, Kathleen Nanima Rambler, Kindy Kemarre Ross, Latoya Ngwarraye Petrick, Rosie Kemarre Morton, Sevania Kemarre Bonney
Alyawarre/Kayetete. Live in Ampilatwatja
Telstra General Painting Award
Barbara Puruntatameri
Tiwi. Lives in Milikapiti
Telstra Bark Painting Award
Binygurr Wirrpanda
Yolŋu Matha. Lives in Yirrkala
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Carbiene McDonald Tjangala
Luritja. Lives in Papunya
Telstra General Painting Award
Charmaine Ashley
Wagilak. Lives in Gapuwiyak
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Emerging Artist
Cindy Mpetyan Dixon
Anmatyerre. Lives in Arlparra
Telstra General Painting Award
Emerging Artist
Conway Ginger
Pitjantjatjara. Lives in Mparntwe / Alice Springs
Telstra Work on Paper Award
Djakaŋu Yunupiŋu
Yolŋu Matha. Lives in Gunyaŋara
Telstra General Painting Award
Dorothy Warrngarrknga Ganambarr
Djambarrpuyngu. Lives in Gapuwiyak
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Doris Bush Nungarrayi
Luritja. Lives in Papunya
Telstra Work on Paper Award
Dulcie Sharpe
Luritja. Lives in Yarrenyty Arltere Town Camp, Alice Springs
Telstra Work on Paper Award
Elizabeth Mbitjana
Anmatyerre. Lives in Arlparra
Telstra General Painting Award
Emerging Artist
Gary Lee
Larrakia. Lives in Darwin
Telstra Work on Paper Award
Gaypalani Waṉambi
Yolŋu Matha. Lives in Yirrkala.
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Grace Kemarre Robinya
Western Arrernte, Luritja, Anmatyerre. Lives in Alice Springs
Telstra General Painting Award
Graham Tipungwuti
Tiwi. Lives in Wurrumiyanga, Bathurst Island
Telstra Bark Painting Award
Northern Territory (NT)
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Gutiŋarra Yunupiŋu
Yolŋu Matha. Lives in Yirrkala
Telstra Bark Painting Award
Jeanie Napangardi Lewis
Warlpiri. Lives in Nyirrpi.
Telstra General Painting Award
Johnathon World Peace Bush and Doriana Bush
Tiwi. Live in Milikapiti
Telstra Multimedia Award
Kaye Brown
Tiwi. Lives in Milikapiti
Telstra Bark Painting Award
Kenan Namunjdja
Kuninjku. Lives in Maningrida
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Lucinta Puruntatameri
Tiwi. Lives in Pirlangimpi Community
Telstra General Painting Award
Lucy Yarawanga
Gurr-goni. Lives in Maningrida
Telstra Bark Painting Award
Marrnyula Munuŋgurr
Yolŋu Matha. Lives in Yirrkala
Telstra General Painting Award
Mervyn Rubuntja
Arrernte / Western Aranda. Lives in Mparntwe / Alice Springs
Telstra Work on Paper Award
Ned Kelly Jungurrayi
Kaytetye/Warlpiri. Lives in Ali Curung
Telstra General Painting Award
Emerging Artist
Obed Namirrkki
Kuninjku. Lives in Maningrida
Telstra Bark Painting Award
Emerging Artist
Owen Yalandja
Kuninjku. Lives in Maningrida
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Pedro Wonaeamirri
Tiwi. Lives in Milikapiti
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Roger Yambeing
Malak Malak / Wangi Wumirri. Lives in Darwin
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Sheree Inkamala
Luritja / Pitjantjatjara / Western Arrernte. Lives in Yarrenyty Arltere Town Camp, Alice Springs
Telstra Work on Paper Award
Emerging Artist
Sonia Gurrpulan Guyula
Djambarrpuyngu. Lives in Dhondji Homeland
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Emerging Artist
Wally Wilfred
Wagilak. Lives in Ngukurr
Telstra General Painting Award
Wayilkpa Maymuru
Yolŋu Matha. Lives in Yirrkala
Telstra Bark Painting Award
Yalmakany Marawili
Yolŋu Matha. Lives in Yirrkala
Telstra Bark Painting Award
Yinimala Gumana
Yolŋu Mathai. Lives in Gäṉgaṉ
Telstra Bark Painting Award
Queensland (QLD)
Alick Tipoti
Kala Lagaw Ya. Lives on Badhu Island, Torres Strait
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Colina Wymarra
Gudang Yadhaykenu (Cape York), Dauareb/Komet (Mer Islands). Lives in Seisia
Telstra General Painting Award
Emerging Artist
Elisa Jane Carmichael
Ngugi, Quandamooka. Lives in Brisbane
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Lisa Michl Ko-manggén OAM
Pala Nganduw Kedew. Lives in Cairns
Telstra Work on Paper Award
Naomi Hobson
Southern Kaantju and Umpila. Lives in Coen, Cape York
Telstra Work on Paper Award
South Australia (SA)
Alec Baker and Eric Barney
Yankunytjatjara. Live in Indulkana
Telstra General Painting Award
Derek Jungarrayi Thompson
Pitjantjatjara. Lives in Pukatja (Ernabella)
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
George Cooley
Arnhem Land Bor. Lives in Coober Pedy
Telstra General Painting Award
Emerging Artist
Iluwanti Ken
Pitjantjatjara. Lives in Amata
Telstra General Painting Award
Josina Nyarpingku Pumani
Pitjantjatjara. Lives in Adelaide
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Emerging Artist
Juanella Donovan
Adnyamathanha / Luritja / Lower Southern Arrernte. Lives in Port Augusta
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Ken Sisters Collaborative: Freda Brady, Maringka Tunkin, Sandra Ken, Tanya Brady, Tjungkara Ken, Yaritji Young
Pitjantjatjara. Live in Amata
Telstra General Painting Award
Naomi Kantjuriny
Pitjantjatjara. Lives in Amata
Telstra General Painting Award
Victoria (VIC)
Cassie Leatham
DjaDja Wurrung / Daungwurrung. Lives in Boisdale
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Jack Anselmi
Yorta Yorta. Lives in Mooroopna
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Jahkarli Felicitas Romanis
Pitta Pitta. Lives in Melbourne
Telstra Multimedia Award
Kent Morris
Barkindji. Lives in Melbourne
Telstra Work on Paper Award
Nicholas Hovington
Palawa. Lives in Naarm/Melbourne
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Norm Yakaduna Stewart
Yorta Yorta (Kwat Kwat, Moira, Wurundjeri). Lives in Barmah – Cummeragunja
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
Western Australia (WA)
Allery Sandy
Yindjibarndi. Lives in Mingullatharndo Community (5 Mile), Roebourne
Telstra General Painting Award
Angelina Karadada Boona
Worrora / Wunambal. Lives in Kalumburu
Telstra Bark Painting Award
Brett Nannup
Noongar. Lives in Perth
Telstra Work on Paper Award
Daniel Walbidi
Yulparitja/Mangala. Lives in Bidyadanga
Telstra General Painting Award
Darryl Dempster
Noongar. Lives in Perth
Telstra General Painting Award
Emerging Artist
Jimmy Tjapangarti Tchooga
Warlpiri, Ngarti. Lives in Wirrimanu (Balgo Community)
Telstra Work on Paper Award
Marlene Anderson
Manyjilyjarra. Lives in Newman
Telstra General Painting Award
Ned Grant
Pitjantjatjara. Lives in Tjuntjuntjara
Telstra General Painting Award
Wendy Hubert
Yindjibarndi. Lives in Roebourne
Telstra General Painting Award
Mildred Mungulu and Barbara Bear Arndie
Worrora/Wunambal, Ngarinyin. Live in Mowanjum
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (Sponsored by Telstra)
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