Ryan Presley Wins 2026 Telstra Art Award at NATSIAA
On August 7, during the 43rd NATSIAA in Darwin, Ryan Presley, an artist from the Marri Ngarr community, received the esteemed 2026 Telstra Art Award, recognized as the top honor for First Nations artists in Australia. His artwork, an oil-on-polyester titled 'Our lifestyle of tranquillity undisturbed' (2026), won him a cash prize of AUD 100,000 (USD 71,000) for its portrayal of colonial history and Indigenous resilience. The piece takes cues from Domenico di Pace Beccafumi's 1546 work, 'The Annunciation,' featuring an Aboriginal man and a hunting dog. Presley describes it as a 'dreamscape' that reflects on time and storytelling. He is one of seven award recipients, with all 64 finalists’ artworks on display at MAGNT until January 24, 2027.
Key facts
- Ryan Presley won the 2026 Telstra Art Award at the 43rd NATSIAA in Darwin.
- The award is worth AUD 100,000 (USD 71,000).
- Presley is a Marri Ngarr artist living on Yugambeh Country in Logan City.
- The winning work is 'Our lifestyle of tranquillity undisturbed' (2026), an oil-on-polyester tableau.
- The work references 'The Annunciation' (1546) by Domenico di Pace Beccafumi.
- The award was presented on August 7 at MAGNT.
- Yhonnie Scarce was on the jury panel.
- Works of all 64 finalists are on view at MAGNT through January 24, 2027.
Entities
Artists
- Ryan Presley
- Domenico di Pace Beccafumi
- Yhonnie Scarce
- Julie Gough
- 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
- Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT)
- National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA)
- Telstra Art Award
- The Guardian
- Australian Broadcasting Corporation
- Telstra
- British Museum
- ArtsHub
- Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association
- Buku Larrŋgay Mulka
- Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre
Locations
- Darwin
- Australia
- Logan City
- Yugambeh Country
- Garramilla/Darwin
- Alice Springs
- Lutruwita
- Naarm
- Meanjin
- London
- Gäṉgan
- Yirrkala