SA artist Iluwanti Ken wins paper prize at Telstra NATSIAA awards
Iluwanti Ken from Amata in SA’s remote APY Lands has won one of the main categories at this year’s Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards in Darwin.
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Just as the mother eagles depicted in her work return to feed their young, so Iluwanti Ken nurtures future generations of artists at her home of Amata in the state’s remote APY Lands.
Ms Ken’s ink depiction of Walawulu ngunytju kukaku ananyi (Mother eagles going hunting) won the $5000 Works on Paper prize at this year’s Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, announced in Darwin Friday night.
Eagles were like Anangu mothers, creating strong shelters, hunting to feed their children and protecting their babies from outside dangers, Ms Ken, 76, said.
In the studio at Tjala Arts, she works side-by-side with her daughters and granddaughters, passing on knowledge and techniques.
“We explain stories to children, using animals. The mother eagle is like us – we take care of the children,” she said.
The major $50,000 Telstra Art Award winner was WA artist Ngarralja Tommy May, for his etching on metal and enamel paint, titled Wirrkanja.
Mr May, 85, said his win had been “a long time coming” but that modern tools such as drills meant that carving and making lino prints was “no longer hard yakka”.
The other $5000 categories were won by Adrian Jangala Robertson (NT) for general painting, Marrnyula Munnunggurr for bark painting, Jenna Lee (Qld) for 3D work, Siena Mayutu Wurmarri Stubbs (NT) for multimedia, and Cecilia Umbagai (WA) for emerging artist.
Finalists’ work can be viewed online at natsiaa.com.au and at the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT in Darwin, until January 31.