Known for shinning a spotlight on Australia's top performing Indigenous artists, the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (Telstra NATSIAA) has announced its 2023 winner for yet another year.
Keith Wikmunea, a Thu' Apalech man and artist from Aurukun in Queensland, won the prestigious 2023 Telstra Art Award valued at $100,000 for his sculptural piece titled 'Ku', Theewith & Kalampang: The White Cockatoo, Galah and the wandering Dog' 2023.
The sculpture's ceremonial dots are identifiable with Western Cape York, with the totem birds above always nearby.
The size, scale and presence of the sculpture is not just a reflection of Wikmunea's talent but his deep connection to the country and totem.
In congratulating Mr Wikmunea on his award, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) director Adam Worrall, commended his carving skill.
"He is truly a master carver and I am awed with the might of his work and his celebration of his culture as a Thu' Apalech man from the Cape York Peninsula," Mr Worrall said.
"Ku', Theewith & Kalampang: The White Cockatoo, Galah and the wandering Dog', is a sculpture that represents who I am as a Thu' Apalech man from the Cape York Peninsula", Mr Wikmunea said in a statement.
Born in 1967, Mr Wikmunea lives in Aurukun in far North Queensland, and is from the language group of Wik-Alkan (mother's side) and Wik-Mungkan (father's side). Mr Wikmunea's country is Kencherang (father's side), which is north of Aurukun.
His totems are the white cockatoo and goanna from his father's side and the galah and frilled-neck lizard from his mother's side.
When speaking with Style Up, Me Wikmunea revealed his sculpture – and the majority of his other artworks – take an extremely long time to make.
Wikmunea shared that this piece took roughly two months to create, with the process being to work on it slowly over time.
"Chip away at it day by day, it takes a long time", Mr Wikmunea said.
Whilst Wikmunea's work can be view online, art enthusiasts and the general public are encouraged to appreciate the effort and ongoing hours Wikmunea has put into this creation by physically visiting the MAGNT in person.
"Congratulations to Keith Wikmunea on his wonderful sculpture that connects us with his country in Aurukun, Far North Queensland and to all the 2023 Telstra NATSIAA winners," Telstra chief executive Vicki Brady said.
"This year's winners and finalists have again delivered an exhibition of artwork rich in storytelling that is inspiring and thought-provoking and heart-warming, and I again congratulate Keith for his standout piece."
With a total of 246 entries and 63 finalists across Australia, Telstra judges also extended their congratulations to all finalists involved in the 2023 awards.
"Congratulations to all of the finalists in the 2023 Telstra National Aboriginal Art and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards," said judges Kelli Cole, Janina Harding and Dr Peter Yanda Mckenzie.
"We feel privileged to be able to spend time with the works and discuss and consider the works individually.
"Selecting winners from the finalists proved challenging at times but it is to the testament to the strength of each work that deep consideration went into our deliberations."
Other National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards included:
Work on Paper Award: Brenda Croft
General Painting Award: Julie Nangala Robertson
Multimedia Award: Jimmy John Thaiday
Bark Painting Award: Owen Yalandja
Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award: Anne Nginyangka Thompson
Emerging Artist Award: Dhalmula Burarrwaŋa
Highly Commended Award: Balwaldja Wanapa Munuŋgurr
For 40 years, NATSIAA has celebrated the artistic brilliance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art and artists, and next year will again be no different.
Exhibition Dates
Saturday 12th August 2023 to Sunday 18th February, 2024
Virtual gallery live from 6pm Friday 11th August 2023
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