Media Release, 22 October 2026

Presented by Desart and the Central Land Council, the fourth iteration of the Vincent Lingiari Art Award has concluded on a record-breaking note.

This year’s award celebrated the 50th anniversary of the passing of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act (NT) 1976 through the exhibition theme Our Country, Our Culture: 50 Years of Land Rights. For the first time, the award coincided with the opening of one of the country’s most significant Aboriginal art events, Desert Mob, which saw thousands attend in an artist-led celebration of desert art and culture.

Featuring 56 artworks by 58 artists from across the CLC region and the Desart Art Centre membership, the award honoured the legacy of Vincent Lingiari, the Wave Hill Walk-Off and the struggle for land rights across the widest range of media submitted to date.

“Never before have so many people visited a Vincent Lingiari Art Award exhibition, never before have so many artists entered such high quality works and never before have so many of their works sold. We are very grateful to everyone involved for this unique chance to raise awareness of what has been achieved in half a century of land rights,” said CLC Chair, Warren Williams.

In 2026, the award offered a $10,000 major prize to the most outstanding artwork in the exhibition, the CLC Delegates’ Choice Award of $2,000 and the Desart People’s Choice Award of $2,000.

Elizabeth Ngwarraye Bonney of Artists of Ampilatwatja won the major prize for her painting, My grandmother’s country 2025, and Joseph Williams Jungarrayi of Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre won the CLC Delegates’ Choice Award for his painting Three Brothers 2025, as announced on the opening night of Desert Mob on 10 September.

Across the exhibition period, thousands of people visited the Araluen Arts Centre to view the exhibition with hundreds casting their vote for the Desart People’s Choice Award. Votes were also submitted online with all exhibitive works receiving a vote reflecting the extraordinary calibre of works submitted.

Kelli Cole, Curator of Vincent Lingiari Art Award 2026 said the award attracted record entries and presented its largest exhibition to date.

“The exceptional artworks reflect the strength and diversity of Central Australian artistic practice, with several acquired by national institutions. I am proud to have worked alongside Desart and the Central Land Council, presenting the award within Desert Mob. Congratulations to the participating art centres and, above all, the artists,” Ms Cole said.

Desart CEO, Philip Watkins also congratulated artists.

“The award has provided an important opportunity to come together as a community and reflect on the 50th anniversary of the Aboriginal Land Rights Act, recognising the enduring significance of land rights, connection to Country and the ongoing strength of Aboriginal culture and communities,” he said.

Desart and CLC are proud to announce that Margaret Kngwarray Long of Utopia Art Centre has won the Desart People’s Choice Award for her painting, Arnkerrth 2026 which depicts Arnkerrth, the Mountain Devil – her mother’s Dreaming from her country, Atnangkerr. Stretching 211 x 151 cm, Margaret’s extraordinary work has also been reserved by the Art Gallery of Western Australia.

“Amaroo old station. That’s where I was born. Where I grew up. I used to go to Utopia Homestead school when I was a young girl. A long time ago.

“My father was working doing station work. Mustering for tucker. No money. We moved all over. Queensland and Northern Territory side. Argadargada Station, Waite River Station, Lake Nash, Mount Skinner. Everywhere. My father’s working. We went and sat down, all the ladies and young girls. We were sitting down at Waite River and Argadargada for a long time. Hunting in the Eugene River. My family were learning me. Learning to ride horse, too.”

“Atnangkerr Country we used to go with my aunties. Gloria, Kathleen, Violet. I was watching them doing painting. Making canvas and batik. We were working there at Utopia Homestead all together. When I was young. Batik first then painting now.”

– Margaret Kngwarray Long

Desart and CLC congratulate all finalists of the 2026 award!

Although the Award exhibition has ended, works can still be viewed online here.

 Vincent Lingiari Art Award 2026 Winners:

All artwork photos by Fiona Morrison, courtesy the artists and Desart.