CANBERRA-born artist Andrew Snelgar has been selected as one of 75 finalists in Australia’s most prestigious Indigenous art award, the 2016 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award (NATSIAA) it has been announced by the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.

Snelgar was born in Canberra into the Gurru-Gillu clan, where his Uncle, Paul Gordon, was a very well respected elder. Andrew is a Ngemba carver and started carving over 25 years ago.

His work includes both hard and soft wood carvings into shields, boomerangs and clubs to name a few and is also a dancer and key performer in the Gunni Thakun Cultural Group of NSW. He has exhibited widely across the Central coast, Port Macquarie and Newcastle region and currently teaching in schools and community workshops.

Seventy-five artists, described by MAGNT Director, Marcus Schutenko as having “significant breadth in both form and content,” were selected from 244 entries as finalists by the judging panel, which included Vernon Ah Kee, contemporary artist, Kimberley Moulton, senior curator, South Eastern Australia Aboriginal Collections, Museum Victoria and Don Whyte of Don Whyte Framing.

The categories are: Telstra Art Award – $50,000; Telstra General Painting Award – $5,000; Telstra Bark Painting Award – $5,000; Telstra Work on Paper Award – $5,000; Wandjuk Marika 3D Memorial Award (also sponsored by Telstra) – $5,000; and Telstra Youth Award – $5,000.

Luke Scholes, Curator of Aboriginal Art and Material Culture, Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), said: “From what was an extremely competitive field, Vernon, Kimberley and Don have brought together a wonderfully eclectic assembly of finalists whose work will gather to create a spectacular exhibition to celebrate the MAGNT and Telstra partnership.”

Telstra Country Wide Area General Manager for the Northern Territory, Nic Danks, said the Telstra NATSIAA offers an exciting national platform for emerging and established artists to showcase their culture and creative talents. This year, he said, marked the 25th anniversary of Telstra’s partnership with Museum and Art Gallery.

Finalists’ works will be exhibited at MAGNT from Friday, August 5, where six winners will be announced.

The full list of finalists is as follows—Alec Baker, Andrew Snelgar, Anwar Young, Baluka Maymuru, Barayuwa Munungurr, Barbara Mbitjana Moore, Beryl Jimmy, Betty Kuntiwa Pumani, Beyula Putungka Napanangka, Bianca Beetson, Brendan Kennedy, David Frank, Eunice Napanangka Jack, Eunice Porter, Georgia MacGuire, Glen (Kei Kalak) Mackie, Graham Badari, Gunybi Ganambarr, Guykuda Mununggurr, Harold Joseph Thomas (Bundoo), Isaac Cherel, Ishmael Marika, Jack Green James Tylor, Janine McAullay Bott, Jennifer Herd, John Mawurndjul, Kathleen Injiki Tjapalyi, Kaylene Whiskey, Kent Morris, Kieren Karritpul, Lena Yarinkura, Lenie Namatjira, Lisa Waup, Louise Daniels, Maath Maralngurra, Margaret Poulsen, Matjangka Nyukana Norris, Melanie Evans, Mumu Mike Williams, Muntaji Brumby, Naomi Hobson, Natalie Puantulura, Ngarralja Tommy May, Nici Cumpston, Nicole Monks, Nyapanyapa Yunupingu, Penny Evans, Pepai Jangala Carroll, Peter Waples-Crowe, Rachael Mipantjiti Lionel, Ray James Tjangala, Regina Pilawuk Wilson, Robert Pau, Ryan Presley, Seymour Wulida, Shirley Macnamara, Shirley Purdie, Simon Hogan, Spinifex Men’s Collaborative, Steaphan Paton, Stewart Hoosan, Ted Laxton [Pitcha Makin Fellas], Teresa Baker and Clarise Tunkin, Tiger Yaltangki, Tjanpi Desert Weavers, Tony Albert, Vincent Namatjira, Watarru Collaborative, Wawiriya Burton, William Nyaparu Gardiner, Winnie Sampi, Witjiti George, Wukun Wanambi, Yaritji Young and Yinarupa Nangala.