Pitjantjatjara artist Noli Rictor from Tjuntjuntjara, Western Australia, has been honoured as the winner of the 2024 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA). Rictor’s extraordinary piece, Kamanti, a synthetic polymer paint on linen, earned him the prestigious award and its $100,000 prize. Noli Rictor Wins 2024 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award
Kamanti depicts the significant site of Kamanti, located in the northern part of the traditional Spinifex Lands. This site is steeped in cultural significance, being the home of the Wati Kutjara Tjukurpa (Two Men Creation Line), a powerful narrative that follows the journey of a father and son water serpent across the Spinifex Lands on ceremonial business. Rictor’s painting captures the sacred environment of Kamanti, reflecting the deep spiritual and cultural heritage that has profoundly shaped his life.
The artist’s use of colour and form in Kamanti brings the dry, sacred landscape to life, illustrating the ancestral figures who carved the terrain as they journeyed through it. This profound connection to Country and heritage has resonated deeply with audiences and judges alike.
Director of the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), Adam Worrall, expressed his admiration for Rictor’s work. “We are thrilled to celebrate Noli Rictor as the recipient of the Telstra Award. Noli’s work is a testament to his exceptional talent and deep connection to the Spinifex Lands. His depiction of the Wati Kutjara Tjukurpa at Kamanti offers a powerful glimpse into his heritage, beautifully illustrating the Ancestral narratives that shape his Country and community,” Worrall said.
Rictor’s journey as an artist is as remarkable as his artwork. Celebrated not only for his artistic talent but also for his deep connection to his heritage, Rictor is possibly the youngest ‘first contact’ Aboriginal person in Australia. In 1986, at the age of 21, he and his family were located by relatives in the remote Great Victoria Desert. This discovery marked his transition from an isolated life in the desert to joining other Spinifex people in the Yakadunya settlement, following displacement due to British nuclear testing at Maralinga.
Rictor began his painting career in 2004 with the Kalka Community but took a hiatus before resuming his practice in 2016 in Tjuntjuntjara. He now works with the Spinifex Arts Project, creating works that celebrate and preserve the rich cultural tapestry of his people.
The 2024 NATSIA judges, Putuparri Tom Lawford, Keith Munro, and Katina Davidson, praised Rictor’s Kamanti for its exceptional artistry and cultural depth. “Kamanti is an exceptional painting by a senior Elder of the community and an applauded artist. Noli Rictor’s deep knowledge of his Country is embedded in this truly majestic work,” they said in a joint statement. They highlighted Rictor’s expert use of colour and composition, which creates shimmering fields that carve the Wati Kutjara Tjukurpa into the layered landscape. The judges were captivated by the painting’s scale, noting it as a fitting tribute to the importance of the story it represents.
The 2024 Telstra NATSIAA, supported by MAGNT, marks the 41st year of the awards. This year’s selection was particularly significant for its strong representation of emerging artists, with 21 finalists falling under this category. Worrall noted the vitality and innovation of the next generation of Aboriginal artists, emphasizing the awards’ role in showcasing both emerging talent and established names.
Established by MAGNT in 1984, the NATSIAA has long been a platform to promote appreciation and understanding of the diversity and quality of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art across Australia. The awards have been a career-defining moment for many artists over the past four decades.
The exhibition showcasing the Telstra NATSIAA finalists will be on display at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory until January 27, 2025.
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