Gunditjmara, Gunnai, Yorta Yorta, and Boon Wurrung artist Richard Young has won the Creative Victoria Award for Excellence in Any Media at the Koorie Art Show.
His painting, Gunditjmarra Marking, was awarded the $10,000 cash prize.
In his artist statement, Mr Young emphasised the cultural significance of his work.
"My piece is to be referred to as Gunditjmarra art, not Aboriginal art," he said.
"I reject the imposed colonial artistic narratives and the self-serving authority of those who claim expertise over our culture without respect and depth of understanding.
"Gunditjmarra markings are much older than the dot art forms on canvas, which have long been dictated as 'authentic' through a white-dominated lens."
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Mr Young said the 1872 Gunditjmarra possum skin is an "expression of Gunditjmarra data sovereignty".
"I've recreated one marking on this canvas, but its meaning belongs to the wearer, reflecting just one story in our cultural tapestry," he said.
In addition to the award won by Mr Young, Koorie Heritage Trust announced winners across eight additional categories with recipients sharing in a $40,000 prize pool.
This year's competition attracted 121 artists, including 38 first-time entrants, showcasing the depth and diversity of talent among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists in Victoria.
The exhibition features a wide range of mediums, including painting, sculpture, fibre art, photography, and multimedia.
The judging panel for this year's awards included Belinda Briggs (Yorta Yorta and Wamba Wamba), Jefa Greenaway (Wailwan, Kamilaroi, and D'harawal), and Kate Ten Buuren (Taungurung).
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Koorie Heritage Trust CEO, Tom Mosby, praised entrants' artworks.
"This year, I have been particularly taken by the depth and thought-provoking artworks that generously speak to culture, Country, and kin," he said.
The event also features the Koorie Art Show Young Mob 7, which attracted a record 38 young artists aged 5 to 16 with participants eligible for art store voucher prizes.
The Koorie Art Show is an annual event celebrating Koorie and Victorian-based Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, with all works available for sale.
The exhibition runs until the announcement of the $1,000 People's Choice Award at its conclusion.
Koorie Art Show award winners
Creative Victoria Award for Excellence in Any Media ($10,000): Richard Young, Gunditjmarra Marking, 2024
City of Melbourne Aboriginal Melbourne Award ($5,000): Josh Deane, Nelson Baker, 2024
Lendlease Reconciliation Award ($5,000): Steven Rhall, Better Call Rhall artist services, 2024
Viva Energy Australia 3D Award ($5,000): Sean Miller, Birrubirruu, 2024
Viva Energy Australia and ComfortDelGro Australia Award ($5,000): Lyn Thorpe, Dhamala Woka - Grandfather Country, 2024
RMIT University Emerging Artist Award ($5,000): Fiona Burns, Aboriginal flag eel net, 2023–2024
Josh Muir Digital Art Award ($3,000): Sarah Cvk, Did you forget? The trees have bark! 2024
KHT Encouragement Award ($500): Lucinda Johnson-Cornes, We know we must move, 2024.
Koorie Art Show 12 opens Saturday 7 December 2024 until Sunday 23 February 2025, Koorie Heritage Trust, Birrarung Building, Fed Square.
