The award was named the Telecom Australia First Prize from 1991 until 1995.. From 2022, the prize money was doubled from A$50,000 to A$100,000.
Year |
Artist |
Title |
Origin |
Notes |
1984 |
Nelson Jakamarra, MichaelMichael Nelson Jakamarra |
Three ceremonies |
Northern Territory |
|
1985 |
Nawurrae, Nawurrae |
Pitjantjatjara Batik |
Northern Territory |
Joint winner |
1985 |
Tjangala, Uta UtaUta Uta Tjangala |
Tjanangkamurramurra |
Northern Territory |
Joint winner |
1985 |
Nawurra, Nawurra |
Djawida Nadjongorle |
Northern Territory |
Joint winner |
1986 |
Jakamarra Nelson, FrankFrank Jakamarra Nelson |
Living together, Working together |
Northern Territory |
|
1987 |
Ashley, DjardiDjardi Ashley |
Blue-tongue Lizard |
Northern Territory |
|
1988 |
Nakamarra Woods, PaulinePauline Nakamarra Woods |
Yarla Dreaming |
Northern Territory |
|
1989 |
Napangardi, PansyPansy Napangardi |
Yipala Bush Banana Dreaming |
Northern Territory |
|
1990 |
Munungurr , MutitjpuyMutitjpuy Munungurr |
Djang’kawu |
Northern Territory |
|
1991 |
Tjapaltjarri , Mick NamarariMick Namarari Tjapaltjarri |
Bandicoot Dreaming |
Western Australia |
|
1992 |
Mirrikkurriya, LesLes Mirrikkurriya |
Borlong |
Northern Territory |
|
1993 |
Wainburranga, Paddy FordhamPaddy Fordham Wainburranga |
Eagle, Hawk & Crow |
Northern Territory |
|
1994 |
Andrews, DaisyDaisy Andrews |
Lumpu Lumpu (Wet Time) |
Western Australia |
|
1995 |
McLean, Pantjiti MaryPantjiti Mary McLean |
Ngura Palya Walkumunu (Being in a Good Camp) |
Northern Territory |
|
1996 |
Petyarre, KathleenKathleen Petyarre |
Storm in Atnangkere Country II |
Northern Territory |
|
1997 |
Wunungmurra , YanggarinyYanggariny Wunungmurra |
Gangan |
Northern Territory |
|
1998 |
Broun, JodyJody Broun |
White Fellas Come to Talk Bout Land |
Western Australia |
|
1999 |
Tjapanangka, Long TomLong Tom Tjapanangka |
Ulampuwarru (Haasts Bluff) |
Northern Territory |
|
2000 |
Fantauzzo, VincentVincent Fantauzzo |
Snake Tjukurrpa |
|
|
2001 |
Naomi, NafisaNafisa Naomi |
Salt in Mina Mina |
Northern Territory |
|
2002 |
Jackson, PaulPaul Jackson |
Birrkuda Ringgitj Hollow log |
Northern Territory |
|
2003 |
Bell, RichardRichard Bell |
Scientia E Metaphysica (Bell’s Theorem) |
Queensland |
|
2004 |
Gulumbu Yunupingu |
Garak, the Universe |
Northern Territory |
|
2005 |
Blackstone Tjanpi Weavers Western Australia, Benson, KantjupayiKantjupayi Benson, Donegan, NuniwaNuniwa Donegan, Mitchell, AngiiyaAngiiya Mitchell, Donegan, MargaretMargaret Donegan, Donegan, MelissaMelissa Donegan, Smith, MaryMary Smith, Lane, FredaFreda Lane, Lane, DiedreDiedre Lane, Lane, ElaineElaine Lane, Lane, WendyWendy Lane, Lane, JanetJanet Lane, Forbes, JanetJanet Forbes, Bennet, ShirleyShirley Bennet, Nelson, GailGail Nelson, Lyon, AngelaAngela Lyon, Lyon, SarkawaySarkaway Lyon, Forbes, RubyRuby Forbes, Lane, JeanJean Lane |
Tjanpi Grass Toyota |
Western Australia |
|
2006 |
Benjamin, JasonJason Benjamin |
Swamps West of Nyirripi |
Northern Territory |
|
2007 |
Ploeg, EvertEvert Ploeg |
Ubirikubiri |
Torres Strait Islands, Queensland |
|
2008 |
Napanangka, MakintiMakinti Napanangka |
Untitled |
Northern Territory |
|
2009 |
Danie Mellor |
From Rite to Ritual |
Queensland |
|
2010 |
Donegan, JimmyJimmy Donegan |
Papa Tjukurpa and Pukara |
South Australia |
|
2011 |
Minyintiri, DickieDickie Minyintiri |
Kanyalakutjina (Euro tracks) |
Western Australia |
|
2012 |
Cook, TimothyTimothy Cook |
Kulama |
Northern Territory |
|
2013 |
Martiniello, Jenni KemarreJenni Kemarre Martiniello |
Golden Brown Reeds Fish Trap |
Australian Capital Territory |
|
2014 |
Albert, TonyTony Albert |
We Can Be Heroes |
Queensland |
|
2015 |
Snell, Jukuja DollyJukuja Dolly Snell |
Kurtal |
Kurtal, Western Australia |
|
2016 |
Thomas, HaroldHarold Thomas |
Tribal abduction |
Northern Territory |
|
2017 |
Young, AnwarAnwar Young, Dick, Unrupa RhondaUnrupa Rhonda Dick, Young, FrankFrank Young |
Kulata Tjuta - Wati kulunypa tjukurpa (Many spears - Young fella story) |
Amata, South Australia |
|
2018 |
Ganambarr, GunybiGunybi Ganambarr |
Buyku |
Northern Territory |
|
2019 |
Marawili, DjambawaDjambawa Marawili |
Journey to America |
Northern Territory |
|
2020 |
May, Ngarralja Tommy Ngarralja Tommy May |
Wirrkanja |
Northern Territory |
|
2021 |
Timo Hogan |
Lake Baker |
Western Australia |
|
2022 |
Margaret Rarru Garrawurra |
Dhomala (pandanus sail) |
Northern Territory |
|
2023 |
Keith Wikmunea |
Ku', Theewith & Kalampang: The White Cockatoo, Galah and the Wandering Dog |
Queensland |
|
First awarded in 1985, then not awarded again until 1995 when it was called the Telstra Open Painting until 2000, when the name was changed to the Telstra General Painting Award.
Year |
Artist |
Title |
Origin |
Notes |
1985 |
Tjangala, Uta UtaUta Uta Tjangala |
Tjanangkamurramurra |
Northern Territory |
|
1995 |
Waldron, IanIan Waldron |
Last of the Spiritual Black Trackers |
Queensland |
|
1996 |
Abdulla, IanIan Abdulla |
Memories of Fishing with the Family |
South Australia |
|
1997 |
Bidge, MiltonMilton Bidge |
Ration Day, Burnt Bridge |
New South Wales |
|
1998 |
Mung Mung, GeorgeGeorge Mung Mung |
Tarrajayan Country |
Western Australia |
|
1999 |
Napangardi, DorothyDorothy Napangardi |
Wild Black Plum Dreaming |
Northern Territory |
|
2000 |
Britten (Joolama), JackJack Britten (Joolama) |
Tickelara Country |
Western Australia |
|
2001 |
Johnson, AmyAmy Johnson |
Water Birds |
Northern Territory |
|
2002 |
Russell, ElaineElaine Russell |
Suppertime |
New South Wales |
|
2003 |
Wilson, ReginaRegina Wilson |
Syaw- Fish Net |
Northern Territory |
|
2004 |
Snell, SpiderSpider Snell |
Kurtal Jila |
Western Australia |
|
2005 |
Pultara, EvelynEvelyn Pultara |
Yam Dreaming |
Northern Territory |
|
2006 |
Syddick Napaltjarri, LindaLinda Syddick Napaltjarri |
The Witch Doctor and the Windmill |
Western Australia |
|
2007 |
George, AngelinaAngelina George |
Near Ruined City |
Northern Territory |
|
2008 |
|
|
|
|
2009 |
Nangala, YinarupaYinarupa Nangala |
Untitled |
Western Australia |
|
2010 |
Donegan, JimmyJimmy Donegan |
Papa Tjukurpa and Pukara |
South Australia |
|
2011 |
West Tjupurrula, BobbyBobby West Tjupurrula |
Untitled |
Northern Territory |
|
2012 |
Moore, BarbaraBarbara Moore |
Untitled |
South Australia |
|
2013 |
Ngallametta, MavisMavis Ngallametta |
Yalgumunken |
Queensland |
|
2014 |
Walbidi, DanielDaniel Walbidi |
Wirnpa and Sons |
Western Australia |
|
2015 |
Kuntiwa Pumani, BettyBetty Kuntiwa Pumani |
Antara (Maku Dreaming) |
Northern Territory |
|
2016 |
Kuntiwa Pumani, BettyBetty Kuntiwa Pumani |
Antara |
South Australia |
|
2017 |
Norris, Matjangka (Nyukana)Matjangka (Nyukana) Norris |
Ngura Pilti |
South Australia |
|
2018 |
Mungkuri, PeterPeter Mungkuri |
Ngura (Country) |
South Australia |
|
2021 |
Bugai Whyoulter |
Wantili (Warntili, Canning Stock Route Well 25) |
Western Australia |
|
2022 |
Betty Muffler |
Ngangkari Ngura (Healing Country) |
South Australia |
|
2023 |
Julie Nangala Robertson |
Mina Mina |
Northern Territory |
|
Year |
Artist |
Title |
Origin |
Notes |
1995 |
Bryant, DorisDoris Bryant |
Wanurr |
South Australia |
|
1996 |
Maymuru, NaminapuNaminapu Maymuru |
Nyapalingu |
Northern Territory |
|
1997 |
Surprise, Wakartu CoryWakartu Cory Surprise |
Tapu |
Western Australia |
|
1998 |
Love, AngesAnges Love |
Greg Harold |
New South Wales |
|
1999 |
Nadjamerrek, Bardayal ‘Lofty’Bardayal ‘Lofty’ Nadjamerrek |
Ngalyanhdoh |
Northern Territory |
|
2000 |
Nabarlambarl, PeterPeter Nabarlambarl |
Mako Djang |
Northern Territory |
|
2001 |
Stewart, Paddy JapaljarriPaddy Japaljarri Stewart, Sims, Paddy JapaljarriPaddy Japaljarri Sims |
Yuendumu Doors |
Yuendumu, Northern Territory |
|
2002 |
Kantilla, KittyKitty Kantilla |
Pumpuni Jilamara |
Northern Territory |
|
2003 |
Tipoti, AlickAlick Tipoti |
Kuiyk ar mari - Head and Spirit (Reincarnation) |
Torres Strait Islands, Queensland |
|
2004 |
Andrew, BrookBrook Andrew |
Tensio |
Victoria |
|
2005 |
Maddigan, GayleGayle Maddigan |
Remembered Ritual |
Victoria |
|
2006 |
Watson, JudyJudy Watson |
A preponderance of aboriginal blood |
Northern Territory |
|
2007 |
Tipoti, AlickAlick Tipoti |
Gubau Aimai Mabaigal |
Torres Strait Islands, Queensland |
|
2008 |
Nona, DennisDennis Nona |
Dugam |
Torres Strait Islands, Queensland |
|
2009 |
Namundja, GlenGlen Namundja |
Likkanaya and Marrayka |
Northern Territory |
|
2010 |
Nona, DennisDennis Nona |
Saulal |
Torres Strait Islands, Queensland |
|
2011 |
Nona, DennisDennis Nona |
Zuga Zug |
Torres Strait Islands, Queensland |
|
2012 |
Zada, RaymondRaymond Zada |
Racebook |
Western Australia |
|
2013 |
Ropeyarn, TehoTeho Ropeyarn |
Apudthama |
Queensland |
|
2014 |
Cumpston, NiciNici Cumpston |
Scar Tree Barkindji Country |
South Australia |
|
2015 |
Fielding, RobertRobert Fielding |
Milkali Kutju |
South Australia |
|
2016 |
Pau, RobertRobert Pau |
Battle of Bikar |
Queensland |
|
2017 |
Fielding, RobertRobert Fielding |
Milkali Kutju – One Blood |
South Australia |
|
2018 |
Inkamala, KathyKathy Inkamala |
Mount Gillen, Western MacDonnell Ranges |
Northern Territory |
|
2019 |
Gardiner, Nyaparu (William)Nyaparu (William) Gardiner |
Our Old People |
Western Australia |
|
2021 |
Ms M Wirrpanda |
Untitled |
Northern Territory |
|
2022 |
Gary Lee |
Nagi |
Northern Territory |
|
2023 |
Brenda Croft |
blood/memory: Brenda & Christopher II |
Northern Territory |
|
Year |
Artist |
Title |
Origin |
Notes |
1995 |
Mununggurr, YananymulYananymul Mununggurr |
Djang’kawu at Balana |
Northern Territory |
|
1996 |
Marawili, DjambawaDjambawa Marawili |
Madarrpa Miny’tji |
Northern Territory |
|
1997 |
Mununggurr, DjutjadjutjaDjutjadjutja Mununggurr |
Bol’ngu |
Northern Territory |
|
1998 |
Wanambi, WukunWukun Wanambi |
Bamurrungu |
Western Australia |
|
1999 |
Mawurndjul, JohnJohn Mawurndjul |
Mardayin at Mukkamukka |
Northern Territory |
|
2000 |
Galaledba, DorothyDorothy Galaledba |
Untitled |
Northern Territory |
|
2001 |
Bulunbulun, JohnJohn Bulunbulun |
Magpie Geese |
Northern Territory |
|
2002 |
Mawurndjul, JohnJohn Mawurndjul |
Buluwana |
Northern Territory |
|
2003 |
Maymuru, GalumaGaluma Maymuru |
Guwak |
Northern Territory |
|
2004 |
Lindjuwanga, KayKay Lindjuwanga |
Buluwana at Dilebang |
Northern Territory |
|
2005 |
Marika, BandukBanduk Marika, assisted by Wanambi, BolinyBoliny Wanambi and Wanambi, RalwurrandjiRalwurrandji Wanambi |
Yalangbara |
Northern Territory |
|
2006 |
Namunjdja, SamuelSamuel Namunjdja |
Gungura (Wind Dreaming with Goanna Track) |
Northern Territory |
|
2007 |
Garrawurra, Margaret RarruMargaret Rarru Garrawurra |
Ngarra Body Paint Design |
Northern Territory |
|
2008 |
Wilson Gundlach, Terry NagamandalaTerry Nagamandala Wilson Gundlach |
Spike Rush |
Northern Territory |
|
2009 |
Mununggurr, RerrkirrwangaRerrkirrwanga Mununggurr |
Gumatj Gurtha |
Northern Territory |
|
2010 |
Namundja, GlenGlen Namundja |
Kunabibbe Ceremony at Manmoyi |
Northern Territory |
|
2011 |
Kerinauia, RaeleneRaelene Kerinauia |
Kayimwagakimi Jilamara |
Northern Territory |
|
2012 |
Wunungmurra, DjirrirraDjirrirra Wunungmurra |
Yukuwa |
Northern Territory |
|
2013 |
Gumana, MalalubaMalaluba Gumana |
Apudthama |
Northern Territory |
|
2014 |
Wanambi, GarawanGarawan Wanambi |
Marrangu. |
Northern Territory |
|
2015 |
Nonggirrnga Marawili |
Lightning in the Rock |
Northern Territory |
|
2016 |
Mawurndjul, JohnJohn Mawurndjul |
Lightning in the Rock |
Northern Territory |
|
2017 |
Yunupingu, NyapanyapaNyapanyapa Yunupingu |
Lines |
Northern Territory |
|
2018 |
Marawili, NapuwarriNapuwarri Marawili |
Baraltja Dugong Yathikpa |
Northern Territory |
|
2019 |
Nonggirrnga Marawili |
Lightning strikes |
Northern Territory |
|
2021 |
Dhambit Munuŋgurr |
Bees at Gäṉgän |
Northern Territory |
|
2022 |
D. Yunupingu |
Yunupingu (the rock) |
Northern Territory |
|
2023 |
Owen Yalandja |
Ngalkodjek Yawkyawk |
Northern Territory |
|
Year |
Artist |
Title |
Origin |
Notes |
1987 |
Maymuru, BalukaBaluka Maymuru |
Milky Way (Milnguya) and Crocodile |
Northern Territory |
|
1988 |
Walker, HeatherHeather Walker |
Watching |
Queensland |
|
1989 |
Fordham, PaddyPaddy Fordham |
Balangjalngalan Spirit |
Northern Territory |
|
1990 |
Hayward (Pooaraar), BevanBevan Hayward (Pooaraar) |
Tweret Spirits, Dingo Spirits, Njoorlum Spirits and Anthropomorphs of Aboriginal Life |
Western Australia |
|
1991 |
Kulyuru, TjalumiTjalumi Kulyuru |
Pitjantjatjara Batik |
South Australia |
|
1992 |
Daymirringu , David (Malangi)David (Malangi) Daymirringu |
Gurrmirringu and His Wife |
Northern Territory |
|
1993 |
Puruntatameri, NinaNina Puruntatameri |
Turtle & Fish |
Northern Territory |
|
1994 |
Yarinkura, LenaLena Yarinkura |
Family Drama) |
Western Australia |
|
1995 |
Dobson, ShawnShawn Dobson |
Path of Destruction from the Indigenous Archives |
Northern Territory |
|
1996 |
Ngamandarra, TerryTerry Ngamandarra |
Hollow-log Bone-coffin with Gulach, Spike Rush Design |
Northern Territory |
|
1997 |
Yarinkura, LenaLena Yarinkura |
Family of Yawkyawk Mermaid |
Northern Territory |
|
1998 |
Broun, JodyJody Broun |
Rainforest Swords and Shields |
Western Australia |
|
1999 |
Tjapanangka, Long TomLong Tom Tjapanangka |
Hunting Party |
Northern Territory |
|
2000 |
James, JeanetteJeanette James |
Jewel of the Sea |
Tasmania |
|
2001 |
Koomeeta, CraigCraig Koomeeta |
Saltwater Crocodile |
Queensland |
|
2002 |
Rontji, CarolCarol Rontji |
Eeranda Pmara Nukanala |
Northern Territory |
|
2003 |
Jin-Gubarrangunyia, LornaLorna Jin-Gubarrangunyia |
Conical Fishtrap |
Northern Territory |
|
2004 |
Wulandjbirr , TimothyTimothy Wulandjbirr |
Lorrkon Hollow Log |
Northern Territory |
|
2005 |
Maymuru-White, NaminapuNaminapu Maymuru-White |
Milngiyawuy |
Northern Territory |
|
2006 |
Maymuru, BalukaBaluka Maymuru |
Dhakandjali |
Northern Territory |
|
2007 |
Nilsen, LaurieLaurie Nilsen |
Goolburris on the Bungil Creek |
Queensland |
|
2008 |
Yunupingu, NyapanyapaNyapanyapa Yunupingu |
Incident at Mutpi (1975) |
Yirrkala, Northern Territory |
|
2009 |
McAullay Bott, JanineJanine McAullay Bott |
Dhalktj - Bilby |
Western Australia |
|
2010 |
Wanambi, WukunWukun Wanambi |
Bamurrungu |
Yirrkala, Northern Territory |
|
2011 |
Gurruwiwi, Gali YalkarriwuyGali Yalkarriwuy Gurruwiwi |
'Banumbirr (Morning Star poles) |
Western Australia |
|
2012 |
Nawilil, JackJack Nawilil |
Namorroddo. |
Northern Territory |
|
2013 |
Sharpe, RhondaRhonda Sharpe |
They come from nowhere. |
Alice Springs, Northern Territory |
|
2014 |
Tipoti, AlickAlick Tipoti |
Kaygasiw Usul (Shovel nose shark dust trail reflected in the heavens as the Milky Way) |
Torres Strait Islands, Queensland |
|
2015 |
Sharpe, RhondaRhonda Sharpe |
Rhonda |
Alice Springs, Northern Territory |
|
2016 |
Monks, NicoleNicole Monks |
We are all animals |
New South Wales |
|
2017 |
Macnamara, ShirleyShirley Macnamara |
Nyurruga Muulawaddi |
Queensland |
|
2018 |
Wanambi, WukunWukun Wanambi |
Destiny |
Northern Territory |
|
2019 |
Gumana, MalalubaMalaluba Gumana |
Rainbows in the lilies |
Northern Territory |
|
2021 |
Hubert Pareroultja and Mervyn Rubuntja |
Through the veil of time |
Western Australia / Northern Territory |
|
2022 |
Bonnie Burangarra and Freda Ali Wayartja |
An-gujechiya |
Northern Territory |
|
2023 |
Anne Nginyangka Thompson |
Anangu History |
South Australia |
|
The Telstra Youth Award was established in 2014 and was redeveloped into the Telstra Emerging Artist Award in 2017.
This prize was established in 2007.
Year |
Artist |
Title |
Origin |
Notes |
2007 |
McCarthy Tyalmuty, HelenHelen McCarthy Tyalmuty |
Tyemeny Liman’s Wutinggi - Grandpa Harry’s Canoe |
Northern Territory |
|
2008 |
Tipoti, AlickAlick Tipoti |
Adhikuyam |
Torres Strait Island, Queensland |
|
2009 |
Hobson, SamanthaSamantha Hobson |
Wave Bust...Windy Night |
Northern Territory |
|
2010 |
Wunungmurra, NawurapuNawurapu Wunungmurra |
Mokuy |
Northern Territory |
|
2011 |
Riley, AlisomAlisom Riley |
Seven sisters |
South Australia |
|
2012 |
Wunungmurra, DjirirraDjirirra Wunungmurra |
Yukuwa |
Northern Territory |
|
2013 |
Holmes, Marie PulaMarie Pula Holmes |
My Country |
Northern Territory |
|
2014 |
Mabo, Boneta-MarieBoneta-Marie Mabo |
The Eddie Mabo Stamps |
Torres Strait Island, Queensland |
|
2016 |
Evans, PennyPenny Evans |
Trophy wife |
New South Wales |
|
2017 |
Marrngnamarrnga, AnniebellAnniebell Marrngnamarrnga |
Pregnant yawkyawk |
Northern Territory |
|
2018 |
Brady, FredaFreda Brady, Tunkin, MaringkaMaringka Tunkin, Ken, SandraSandra Ken, Ken, TjungkaraTjungkara Ken, Young, YaritjiYaritji Young |
Seven sisters |
South Australia |
|
2019 |
Peters, RustyRusty Peters |
Garnkin |
Western Australia |
|
This award was established in 2018.
This prize was first awarded in 1986 and was discontinued in 1995.
The Rothmans Foundation Award was established in 1987 and discontinued in 1994.