NAIDOC poster competition winner announced

An Indigenous artist from Mackay in Central Queensland has won the prestigious National NAIDOC Poster Competition for 2011.

The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Jenny Macklin, and National NAIDOC Committee Co-chairs, Anne Martin and Ben Mitchell, announced today that Matthew Humphries’ artwork Road to Change had won the competition.

Ms Macklin said Mr Humphries would receive $5000 and his artwork would be used to publicise NAIDOC Week, which runs from 3-10 July.

“Mr Humphries’ artwork will feature on the official NAIDOC Week poster, which will be displayed in schools, workplaces, and community organisations across Australia,” Ms Macklin said.

“I congratulate Mr Humphries and thank all the talented artists who took part in this year’s NAIDOC Poster Competition.”

Ms Martin said entries had to reflect this year’s theme of ‘Change – the next step is ours’.

“There were over 180 quality entries this year and the committee all agreed that Mr Humphries’ artwork was the standout,” Ms Martin said.

“His artwork embodies this year’s theme in a powerful way – understanding where we have come from is an important part of our journey together on the road to change.”

Mr Humphries’ artwork depicts a First Australian family linking hands as they step out on the road to change. They are proud of who they are, encouraged by what has already been achieved, and united in their goal to be change makers for a bright new future.

Mr Humphries said his design incorporated his interests in painting, sketching and airbrushing together with his recent experience working with digital media.

“I spent a week thinking of a design that would reflect the 2011 theme and once I had a clear idea what I wanted to do, started to transfer the design on to a digital canvas,” Mr Humphries said.

“It has been quite a big learning curve for me. I spent a lot of time squinting at my 11″ laptop but was more than pleased with the outcome and honoured to be selected among so many great artists.”

To order free copies of the NAIDOC Week poster please call 1800 050 009 or visit www.naidoc.org.au

For more information about the artist and his winning entry, visit www.indigenous.gov.au