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Congratulations to Naomi Kantjuriny, who has won the Sir John Sulman Prize 2024 for her work 'Minyma mamu tjuta' depicting mamu. A first-time #SulmanPrize finalist, Kantjuriny is a respected Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) community Elder who mainly works across painting and drawing, but is also a basket-maker and wood carver. She is a ngangkari or traditional healer who specialises in women’s and children’s health and provides treatments for the mind, body and spirit. Upon hearing the news of her win, Kantjuriny said: ‘I am so happy to win the Sulman Prize. I am an artist and a ngangkari. I started working at my art centre, Tjala Arts, many years ago alongside senior women. We grew it for the young ones, and the generations to come, and now they have found their way and love painting too. I’ve been painting for 30 years, and I love it. I love what my art centre is and the support it provides for my community. ‘The story of the mamu is a story we sing and dance to. Mamu are good and bad spirits, sometimes they hold scary stories that teach lessons to the grandkids, sometimes they are funny and joyful stories that make us all laugh. Mamu also protect us from illness and danger. Our culture is in everything we do, and I hope culture will be celebrated at Tjala Arts forever, but today is a happy day,’ said Kantjuriny. This year’s Sulman Prize was judged by Sydney artist Tom Polo, who selected Kantjuriny’s work from a field of 40 finalists. ‘Naomi Kantjuriny’s "Minyma mamu tjuta" reached out to me repeatedly during the judging process,' said Polo. 'The dynamism within her composition and bold use of black and white to depict mamu made this work one of conviction, and a joy to return to.’ See Kantjuriny’s striking painting with all the winners and finalists in the Archibald, Wynne and Sulman Prizes 2024 exhibition, opening Saturday 8 June: https://bit.ly/4abWlWT Proudly supported by Presenting partner ANZ and Major partners Herbert Smith Freehills and Oroton. __ Image: Winner Sulman Prize 2024, Naomi Kantjuriny ‘Minyma mamu tjuta’, synthetic polymer paint on linen, © the artist #NaomiKantjuriny

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Ximena Farfan

Senior Interior Designer

1mo

Congratulations to Naomi, this is such a beautiful strorytelling piece!

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