Regional NSW artist Sooty Welsh wins Highly Commended at the 2026 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards

On Friday 7 August, Wayilwan ceramicist, Sooty Welsh, was awarded a Highly Commended Award at the 2026 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSAIAA). He was the sole representative from NSW and was one of only three artists to receive a Highly Commended Award at the event.

Sooty’s entry, titled ‘Scarred’, was made up of three ceramic pieces that resemble scarred trees, with Wayilwan markings on the side to acknowledge his ancestors. The work is an expression of his experience as a child of the stolen generation. He links this experience and the long-lasting damage it has caused, to the traditional scarred trees of his Country. After living and working in Sydney most of his life, he returned home to Coonamble 12 years ago and started making ceramics.

In the Coonamble Times, Sooty talks about the way art has helped him process the trauma of being stolen. He said, “It helped me reconnect with Country and my land and is honestly therapeutic. I think any form of art is.”

Executive Director of Outback Arts Jamie-Lea Trindall said, “As the only artist from NSW in the exhibition, we are beyond proud to see Sooty’s work chosen as a finalist. A huge congratulations to Uncle Sooty on this outstanding achievement in taking his Wayilwan story to the national stage.”

Regional Arts NSW congratulates Sooty on this win!

Entries are now open for the 2027 Telstra NATSIAA. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander artists or collectives from regional NSW to apply before Monday 23 February 2027!

Learn more & apply: www.magnt.net.au/telstra-natsiaa-entries