According to the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin, Marri Ngarr artist Ryan Presley has won the $100,000 top prize at the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAAs) for his oil painting, Our lifestyle of tranquillity undisturbed.
Ryan Presley Wins $100,000 Telstra Art Award at NATSIAAs
Measuring 1.8 by 1.5 metres, Presley’s winning canvas depicts a reclining Indigenous man positioned between his dog and a hunting rifle. According to the artist, the composition draws heavily on the chiaroscuro techniques of Italian Baroque painter Caravaggio, Spanish artist Francisco Goya, and 16th-century painter Domenico Beccafumi. The work also references a quote from George Orwell’s dystopian novel 1984: “Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past.” NATSIAA judge and Kokatha and Nukunu artist Yhonnie Scarce stated that what caught her attention about the work was its multi-layered iconography and the precision of its painting technique.
Did you know? The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAAs) is the longest-running and most prestigious award for Indigenous artists, showcasing finalists at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory until January 24.
Jenna Mayilema Lee Wins Work on Paper Award With Stolen Maps
According to award announcements, Larrakia, KarraJarri and Wardaman artist Jenna Mayilema Lee claimed the $15,000 Work on Paper Award for her piece Taking back taken. Lee constructed the work by weaving traditional dilly bags out of paper maps that she and a network of family and friends removed from the British Museum in London. Lee noted that she was initially motivated by the museum charging a suggested donation of two British pounds for gallery maps. It took Lee approximately five years to master the process of turning paper into string for weaving, building on her previous work exploring historical texts.
Full List of 2026 NATSIAA Winners
According to official award listings, seven winners were selected from 64 finalists and 221 entries at this year’s exhibition. The judging panel comprised Yhonnie Scarce, Trawlwoolway artist Julie Gough, and Kamilaroi artist Warraba Weatherall. The category winners include:
- Telstra Art Award ($100,000): Ryan Presley
- General Painting Award ($15,000): Vanessa Inkamala
- Work on Paper Award ($15,000): Jenna Mayilema Lee
- Bark Painting Award ($15,000): Barayuwa Munuŋgurr
- Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award ($15,000): Napuwarri Marawili
- Emerging Artist Award ($15,000): Guruwuy Murrinyina
- Multimedia Award ($15,000): Colin Heenan-Puruntatameri
Pro tip: Visitors heading to Darwin can view all 64 finalist works for this year’s awards at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory exhibition space before it closes at the end of January.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the top prize at the NATSIAAs?
The top prize is the Telstra Art Award, which carries a $100,000 cash prize and is awarded annually at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.
Who won the top prize at the recent NATSIAAs?
Marri Ngarr artist Ryan Presley won the top prize for his oil painting, Our lifestyle of tranquillity undisturbed.
Where can the NATSIAA exhibition be viewed?
The exhibition featuring all finalists is hosted at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin.
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