18 January 2023
Four local Aboriginal artists each won $5,000 as part of our Ngalla Maya Aboriginal Art Competition. The artworks will be displayed at an upcoming exhibition at Gallery Central from 1 February before they are permanently displayed at our Jobs and Skills Centres (JSCs) in Balga, Joondalup, Midland and Perth.
The acquisitive competition saw 12 local and emerging artists tell a clear visual story reflecting the theme Ngalla Maya (Our Place) with reference to specific locations: Balga Place of Xanthorrheoea (Balga or grasstree); Joondalup Charnok (woman dreamtime), Midland Place of Corroborees and Perth Mooro Kaarta (Kings Park).
Following a public and online vote, and verification by a panel of independent judges, Hon Pierre Yang MLC Member for North Metropolitan Region (representing the Minister for Education and Training) announced the four winning artists at NMTAFE’s Koolark Centre for Aboriginal Students.
The winning artworks will be displayed alongside Aboriginal artworks from the extensive NMTAFE collection at Gallery Central’s Ngalla Maya Aboriginal Art Exhibition(opens in a new tab) from from 1 -17 February.
Competition Winners
David Jones a Wilman-Koreng-Kaneang man for Balga Boodja, to be displayed at Balga JSC
David grew up in Balga and surrounding suburbs and was drawn to paint a full-grown Balga and the solid foundations a tree needs to thrive which represents the opportunities and pathways NMTAFE has provided to set a steady foundation for the community to thrive.
Emily Rose a Noongar-Yamatji woman for Atonement, to be displayed at Joondalup JSC
Emily’s Noongar/Yamatji heritage and birth of her daughter have influenced both her work and her connection to the land. She’s inspired by her spiritual connection to country, the elements of nature, and the astral bodies that pepper the night sky.
Arthur Collard a Noongar man for The Calling, to be displayed at Midland JSC
Arthur is a proud Noongar raised on Ballardong Country, and an artist of more than 40 years. He is inspired by all Noongar artists past and present. The piece shows two Aboriginal men playing the didgeridoo, who are calling for the ancestors.
Toogarr Morrison a Bibbulmun man for Kings Park to be displayed at Perth JSC.
As a Bibbulmun elder, artist and historian, Toogarr has been instrumental in the documentation of Aboriginal Dreamtime stories, and the promotion and explanation of these stories through his artwork. In 1998 Toogarr was named Western Australian Aboriginal Artist of the Year.
NMTAFE Managing Director Michelle Hoad was impressed by the creative talent displayed by the artists and thanked them for sharing their narrative and personal interpretations of place with the College.
“Clients who visit our Jobs and Skills Centres are seeking career guidance and assistance with a new beginning and career progression through training or employment,” said Michelle Hoad.
“Reflections and stories shared by the artists about these locations have been beautifully told and through their eyes, we now have a new appreciation for the significance of these locations.
“It is both an honour and privilege to have these artworks here at Ngalla Maya – our place.”