A taste of the Territory’s boundless artistic talent has been captured on canvas with 24 entrants to the 2018 Portrait of a Senior Territorian Art Award.

Department of Tourism and Culture, Director of Arts NT, Angela Hill, said the Portrait of a Senior Territorian Art Award recognises the significant achievements and contributions by senior Territorians to our community as captured by local artists.

“This is a fantastic annual event that celebrates our Senior Territorians and the talented artists who have captured their subject’s love and connection to the Territory,” Ms Hill said.

“Following this year’s theme, 40 years of self-government, the portrait subjects come from across the Territory and their inspiring stories pay tribute to our way of life and our people.”

This year’s subjects are a diverse mix of senior Territorians, including those who have lived through significant events that have shaped the Territory such as the Bombing of Darwin and Cyclone Tracy. Many of the subjects are still working or volunteering and are active contributors to their communities, including award winning artists and hardworking mothers – one subject has raised 30 children.

The exhibition will be held at Parliament House and open to the public on Friday 12 October from 12:30pm, and daily from 9am to 4pm until 19 October.

The winners will be announced on 12 October with a First Prize Acquisition Award of $7,000, Second Prize receiving $2,000 and Third Prize receiving $500.

This year’s esteemed panel of judges are:

• Clare Armitage, Curator of Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre,

• Jonathon Saunders, Artist and Resource and Development Officer at Association of Northern, Kimberley and Arnhem Aboriginal Artists,

• Kamahi Djordon King, Visual Artist and Performing Arts Manager Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre,

• Hon Sally Thomas, AC Previous Administrator of the Northern Territory (2011-2013)

• Wendy Wood Exhibition Coordinator at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.

The public are encouraged to come and support the Territory’s only portrait art award and vote for the People’s Choice Award, either in person or online at dtc.nt.gov.au/poast.

The People’s Choice winner will be announced on Monday 22 October and they will take home $1,000.

See the attachment for the full list of 2018 entrants and their subjects.

Media Contact: Department of Tourism and Culture Media Manager 0476 844 832