Noli Rictor (Pitjantjatjara language), with his 2024 winning NATSIAA painting ‘Kamanti’ 2023. Photo: Charlie Bliss.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander viewers are warned that the following article contains references to deceased persons.
This year’s winner, Noli Rictor, has been described as ‘possibly the youngest “first contact” Aboriginal person in Australia’. At 21, Rictor transitioned from an isolated life in the desert, where he had survived with only his immediate family, to the settlement of Yakadunya, joining other Spinifex people who had relocated due to British nuclear testing at Maralinga. He then started painting.
Gina Fairley is ArtsHub's Senior Contributor, after 12 years in the role as National Visual Arts Editor. She has worked for extended periods in America and Southeast Asia, as gallerist, arts administrator and regional contributing editor for a number of magazines, including Hong Kong based Asian Art News and World Sculpture News. She is an Art Tour leader for the AGNSW Members, and lectures regularly on the state of the arts. She is based in Mittagong, regional NSW.
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