The Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) is proud to announce the opening of entries for the 2020 Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award on Monday 30 September 2019.
The Indigenous Art Award is the biggest event on the Gab Titui Cultural Centre’s exhibition and events calendar and attracts attention from some of the nation’s leading cultural institutions, with a number of key Indigenous curators and artists participating in the judging process.
The entry period will close at 5pm (AEST) on Wednesday 22nd April 2020 for judging to take place ahead of an official award presentation and exhibition opening hosted at the Gab Titui Cultural Centre on Thursday 30th July 2020.
Local Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal artists are invited to submit entries and secure their chance to share in over $37,000 worth of prizes.
The TSRA Chairperson, Mr Napau Pedro Stephen AM, said that since transitioning to a biennial event, the 12th Indigenous Art Award is expected to receive a high intake of submissions from across the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area regions.
“The Indigenous Art Award is integral to the continuous development of the region’s art industry,” Mr Stephen said.
“It has become a pinnacle achievement for our individual artists and art centres, who contribute to its success through their creativity, hard work, innovation and generosity of spirit.”
“In 2018 winners shared in over $27,000 worth of prizes, and in 2020, they have the opportunity to share in over $37,000 worth of prizes, including the $10,000 first prize.”
“The 2020 Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award will introduce a new $2,000 Contemporary Jewellery Category, giving our beading and textile weavers an opportunity to enter their wearable artwork.
“We are very honoured on this occasion to welcome Janina Harding as the guest judge for the 2020 Art Award.
“Janina is the Artistic Director of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair. Janina’s cultural heritage is Meriam of Eastern Torres Strait, and Ku Ku (North East) of Cape York.”
The Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award emulates the experience that artists would have entering any professional award or exhibition around the nation. This includes a professional judging panel consisting of a guest judge and local cultural advisors.
The National Museum of Australia (NMA) has been sponsoring the NMA History Through Art Award since 2011 and will continue to do so in 2020.
The NMA will also sponsor the inaugural NMA History Through Art Award – Secondary School Work, which recognises works that best capture aspects of the histories of Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal lives and experiences.
We encourage artists to submit their best work, adhering to the official terms and conditions of their intended categories.
If artists need help submitting or sending their artwork to the Gab Titui Cultural Centre, they should contact the Exhibitions Manager, Leitha Assan at the Gab Titui Cultural Centre on 4069 0888.
Pictured: 2020 Gab Titui Indigenous Art Award guest judge Janina Harding, Artistic Director of the Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.