Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal artists creating works in Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait) and the Northern Peninsula Area can now enter the 2027 Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award (Award) with more than $60,000 worth of prizes up for grabs.
This year, the Award will also welcome back respected Meriam (Erub/Mer) arts leader and curator Janina Harding as Principal Judge.
Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Chairperson George Nona said Ms Harding’s return continued the Award’s commitment to bringing respected First Nations arts professionals together with local cultural knowledge through the judging process.
“We are proud to welcome Janina Harding to the Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award as our 2027 Principal Judge,” Mr Nona said.
“Janina brings extensive experience in the First Nations arts sector, but importantly, she also brings her own cultural connection to Zenadth Kes.
“She understands the importance of creating professional opportunities for yumi artists and ensuring our stories, cultural knowledge and creative practice are recognised on our own terms.”
Ms Harding holds over 30 years of experience across arts and cultural projects, arts management, public broadcasting and events. She has served as the Artistic Director of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair from 2015 to 2022 and currently leads the development of the Victorian First Peoples Art and Design Fair for Creative Victoria.
Her appointment follows 2025 Principal Judge Teho Ropeyarn, whose journey demonstrated the pathways the Award can create for local artists.
In 2025, Mr Ropeyarn led the judging of 37 works submitted by emerging and established artists, including secondary school students, across mediums such as printmaking, ghost net sculpture, photography, painting and craft.
Mr Nona said the progression of artists such as Mr Ropeyarn showed why the Award remained an important part of the region’s arts industry.
“The Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award is not only about winning a prize,” Mr Nona said.
“It gives our artists experience in preparing, submitting and exhibiting work through a professional awards process.
“We have seen artists enter this Award early in their careers and go on to exhibit, curate and lead within the Australian arts industry.
“Our region has an extraordinary depth of artistic talent, from our established artists through to young people creating and exhibiting works for the first time.
“We encourage artists across Zenadth Kes, Kaiwalagal region and the Northern Peninsula Area to start thinking about what they will bring to the 2027 Award.”
Established by the TSRA in 2008, the Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award supports the development and national exposure of Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal artists from Zenadth Kes and Northern Peninsula Area. The Award has grown to attract interest from leading cultural institutions and prominent artists and curators across Australia and abroad.
Mr Nona said the 2027 Award would again provide an important platform for the region’s diverse artistic practice.
“Every Award gives us a new perspective of what our artists are creating across yumi region,” Mr Nona said.
“We look forward to seeing new innovative ideas, traditional practices, strong cultural stories and the next generation of artists come through in 2027.”
All works exhibited in the 2027 Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award would be eligible to share in over $60,000 worth of prizes and gift certificates, with the Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award Winner receiving a $15,000 prize.
Entries for the 2027 Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award will close 15 March 2027.
Full entry dates, eligibility, category information, prize details and submission requirements can be collected at the Gab Titui Cultural Centre.