Four indigenous Australians have been recognised at the 11th annual National Indigenous Arts Awards in a ceremony at the Sydney Opera House.
The NIAA awards celebrate the contributions of First Nations artists to the Australian art scene.
Experimental bark painter John Mawurndjul AM and weaver Mavis Ngallametta were both awarded the Red Ochre Award, given for outstanding lifetime achievement.
Mr Mawurndjul said painting has always been a big part of his life.
“When I first started to learn about bark paint I was [little]. I kept growing in knowledge. I didn’t have this grey hair that I have,” he said through a translator.
Mr Mawurndjul took the opportunity to acknowledge his older brother.
“I want to pay my respects to my older brother, Jimmy Njiminjuma, who taught me how to paint,” he said.
“I am the younger brother. He is the first-born elder brother.”
Ms Ngallametta, whose art has seen her travel the world, said in a light-hearted speech she was thankful for the award.
John Mawurndjul AM. Source: Australia Council for the Arts.
“I’ve been to a lot of places like America, New York and Hawaii (sic),” she said.
“Oh, it was nice to swim in Hawaii with the nice young men”.
Mr Mawurndjul (Maningrida, Northern Territory) and Ms Ngallametta (Aurukun community, Queensland) both travelled from the Top End to attend Sunday’s ceremony.
Mavis Ngallametta. Source: Australia Council for the Arts
Dreaming big
The Dreaming Award, given to an emerging artist aged between 18-26 years, went to dancer and choreographer Thomas E.S Kelly.
Mr Kelly said he was pleased his artform was recognised.
“I’m so humbled to join the list of The Dreaming Award recipients and happy to add dance to the [winners list]. Dance is a major part of Indigenous culture,” he said.
“I did cultural dance growing up with my family, and for me, it seemed natural I went down this path.”
Thomas E.S. Kelly Source: Australia Council for the Arts
Curator and writer Hetti Perkins was the 2018 Australia Council Fellowship recipient.
The fellowship is given to established artists who have consistently supported creative activity and professional development in indigenous art.
'A profound sense of cultural strength'
The National Indigenous Arts Awards are organised by The Australia Council.
The Council founded the Red Ochre Award in 1993 and later expanded it to become the National Indigenous Arts Awards.
Chair of the Council’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Strategy Panel, Wesley Enoch, said it is important to celebrate First Nations artists at such as critical point in their careers.
“The 2018 NIAA recipients demonstrate such breadth and richness in their practice, and they represent a profound sense of cultural strength across the generations.”
Australia Council Chair Mr Rupert Myer AO said the NIAA awards are important in celebrating First Nations arts.
Wesley Enoch said it is important to celebrate First Nations artists at such as critical point in their careers. Source: Sydney Festival
“It is wonderful to be able to pay tribute to these extraordinary artists, and acknowledge their rich contribution to the world’s culture,” he said.
“Their work is vital to our cultural identity and influence, and Australians can take great pride in their achievements.”
The NIAA ceremony is held on May 27 each year and coincides with the anniversary of the 1992 Mabo ruling, which recognised the rights of First Nations people as the traditional owners of their land.
