Harold Joseph Thomas Wins 2016 Telstra Art Award

As an artist, Thomas has established a career as a landscape and nature painter, with Tribal Abduction marking a transition into the figurative. The panel of judges for this year’s NATSIAA—comprised of contemporary artists Vernon Ah Kee and Don Whyte, as well as Kimberly Moulton, senior curator of the South Eastern Australia Aboriginal Collection at Museum Victoria—praised Thomas’s technique and choice of topic, specifically citing his use of classical composition to portray an image packed with both anger and fear. Thomas says that the prize money will be allocated for his art supplies and an upcoming project.

Other winners of the 2016 NATSIAA are: Betty Kuntiwa Pumani (Telstra General Painting Award), John Mawurndjul (Telstra Bark Painting Award), Robert Pau (Telstra Work on Paper Award), Nicole Monks (Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award) and Ishmael Marika (Telstra Youth Award). Works by the 75 finalists are currently on view at the MAGNT until October 30, 2016. 

• Australia