Media Release, 2025 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, August 2025
The 2025 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA) is now accessible to everyone everywhere, via a free virtual gallery.
Through a collaboration between the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), and Darwin company Rise Consulting, visitors can now navigate their way through the NATSIAA virtual gallery, which showcases all 71 finalist artworks, including this year’s category award-winning works.
MAGNT, in partnership with Telstra, invites art lovers across Australia and the world to explore the 2025 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards Telstra (NATSIAA) online—through the virtual gallery, which is now live.
With 71 powerful artworks spanning painting, bark, works on paper, sculpture and multimedia, the virtual gallery provides a rich and accessible platform for engaging with contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. Each artwork is presented with detailed descriptions and the artist’s reflections, allowing viewers to connect with themes of Country, identity, kinship, culture and political expression.
“This year’s finalists represent an incredible spectrum of practice and cultural storytelling,” said MAGNT Director Adam Worrall. “The Virtual Gallery allows us to continue sharing these works with the public long after the ceremony has ended, no matter where they are in the world.”
See the winners online
The 2025 Telstra NATSIAA winners—announced on the lawns of MAGNT in Darwin at the ceremony on 8 August are now viewable in the Virtual Gallery, alongside all the finalist works.
- Telstra Art Award ($100,000): Gaypalani Waṉambi – Burwu, blossom
- Telstra General Painting Award: Iluwanti Ken – Walawuru Tjukurpa (Eagle story)
- Telstra Bark Painting Award: Lucy Yarawanga – Bawáliba & Ngalyod
- Telstra Work on Paper Award: Naomi Hobson – Present & Beyond
- Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award: Owen Yalandja – Ngalkodjek Yawkyawk
- Telstra Multimedia Award: Jahkarli Felicitas Romanis – Pitta Pitta (Extracted) and Pitta Pitta (Google’s Gaze)
- Telstra Emerging Artist Award: Sonia Gurrpulan Guyula – Mat
Audiences are also encouraged to cast their vote in the Telstra People’s Choice Award, a non-monetary honour to celebrate the work that resonates most with the public. Voting is open via QR code in-gallery or through the online platform.
Explore the Virtual Gallery Today
www.magnt.net.au/2025-telstra-natsiaa
Advisory warning for accessing the virtual gallery
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors are advised that this exhibition contains artwork and names of people who have passed. Their artwork is exhibited with permission from their families. Audiences are advised that some artworks in this exhibition include discussions and depictions of colonial violence and death. This content may be disturbing to some visitors. Viewer discretion is advised.
Media Contact
Ali Copley | MAGNT Communications | [email protected] | 0438 111 343
Gabrielle Wilson | The Press Society | [email protected] | 0433 972 915
For more information, please visit: www.magnt.net.au