Ryan Presley Wins $100,000 Telstra NATSIAA with Renaissance-Inspired Painting
Ryan Presley, an artist from the Marri Ngarr community, has been awarded the $100,000 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award (NATSIAA) for his oil painting titled 'Our lifestyle of tranquillity undisturbed' (2026). This artwork draws inspiration from a 16th-century piece by Domenico di Pace Beccafumi, portraying a Classical figure in slumber amidst bushfires and a rifle. Having previously been a finalist in 2016 and 2020, Presley seeks to give new interpretations to classic works. His entry was chosen by judges Julie Gough, Yhonnie Scarce, and Warraba Weatherall from a pool of 64 finalists. The award ceremony took place in Garramilla/Darwin, with the exhibition at MAGNT open until 27 January 2027. Additionally, six category prizes of $15,000 were awarded, bringing the total prize pool to $190,000.
Key facts
- Ryan Presley won the $100,000 Telstra NATSIAA Art Award for his painting 'Our lifestyle of tranquillity undisturbed' (2026).
- The painting is inspired by a 16th-century Italian Renaissance work by Domenico di Pace Beccafumi.
- Presley is a Marri Ngarr artist who grew up in Alice Springs and was first a finalist in 2016.
- The judges were Julie Gough, Yhonnie Scarce, and Warraba Weatherall.
- Six category prizes of $15,000 each were awarded to Napuwarri Marawili, Vanessa Inkamala, Colin Heenan-Puruntatameri, Jenna Mayilema Lee, Barayuwa Munuŋgurr, and Guruwuy Murrinyina.
- Jenna Mayilema Lee's work uses British Museum visitor maps to create dilly bags.
- The 2026 awards mark 35 years of Telstra's sponsorship with a prize pool of $190,000.
- The exhibition is at MAGNT until 27 January 2027.
Entities
Artists
- Ryan Presley
- Domenico di Pace Beccafumi
- Julie Gough
- Yhonnie Scarce
- Warraba Weatherall
- Napuwarri Marawili
- Vanessa Inkamala
- Colin Heenan-Puruntatameri
- Jenna Mayilema Lee
- Barayuwa Munuŋgurr
- Guruwuy Murrinyina
- Malaluba Gumana
- Albert Namatjira
- Bakulaŋay Marawili
- Shannon Brett
- Gail Mabo
- Dean Greeno
Institutions
- Telstra
- Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT)
- British Museum
- ArtsHub
- Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association
- Buku Larrŋgay Mulka
- Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre
Locations
- Garramilla/Darwin
- Australia
- Alice Springs
- Lutruwita
- Naarm
- Meanjin
- London
- Gäṉgan
- Yirrkala