Mr May is a Wangkajunga and Walmajarri man born in Yarrkurnja in the Great Sandy Desert. Wirrkanja 2020 is the winning piece selected from 65 exceptional finalist works.
“This is about my Country. There is a clay pan, near to Kurtal. It's also called Helena Springs, a well on the Canning Stock Route,” explains Mr May, now based in Fitzroy Crossing.
Mr May’s entry was praised by the experienced judging panel which includes Director of Injalak Arts Donna Nadjamerrek, Darwin based visual artist Karen Mills, and Curator of Araluen Arts Centre Stephen Williamson.
The judges noted, “With an artistic career spanning more than three decades, Ngarralja Tommy May’s triumphant artwork symbolises the artist at the height of his creative powers. This work announces itself with exquisite beauty and power in the signature style Mr May has pioneered in recent years.”
Mr May said, “Thank you mob in Darwin for this business. Thank you. At last. I feel proud. I’ve been trying all my life, all the time second, fourth, last, sometimes nothing. But I got it now, today. My days, my time this year, I’m the winner. At last.”
“This tin was my new idea, new work. This work is ‘Wirrkanja’, it’s the country where I lost my brother, its jilji (sand dune) country and flat country. Theres a jila there (living spring waterhole). It’s not far from Kurtal, over two sand dunes. It’s in flood time, the water runs down the jilji (sand dunes). This is my country and my family’s country. This is my job, it’s a good job.”
Previously Mr May was an executive for 21 years on the Arnhem, Northern and Kimberley Artists (ANKA) Board of Directors.
“I warmly congratulate respected artist Tommy May for his well-deserved accolade for Wirrkanja 2020. While this year has been unsettling, the dedication of these talented winners and finalists to share place, personal experiences and culture remains manifestly strong. MAGNT is elated to connect the winners and finalists with audiences,” said MAGNT Director Marcus Schutenko.
Telstra Chief Executive Officer Andrew Penn said, “I would like to congratulate Ngarralja Tommy May for his wonderful work and all of this year’s winners and finalists. Once again the quality and diversity of entries is exceptional.
In a year that is far from normal, together with the MAGNT, we’re pleased to announce we’ve created a virtual gallery for the exhibition so that everyone in Australia, and around the world, can experience these wonderful artworks online and for the artists to receive the recognition they truly deserve.”
The 2020 Telstra NATSIAA virtual gallery can be viewed online at natsiaa.com.au. Audiences will soon have the opportunity to vote for their favourite artwork and artist in the Telstra People’s Choice Award.
Showcasing the best in Australian Indigenous art by contemporary artists from across Australia, the NATSIAA exhibition can be explored virtually via this link: https://www.virtualmagnt.net.au/telstranatsiaa.
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