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Torres Strait Islander artist wins National NAIDOC Poster Competition
The original artwork of Harry Pitt Those who Stand to Defend our Land selected as the winner of the National NAIDOC Poster Competition. The NAIDOC Committee received more than 110 entries reflecting the 2014 NAIDOC theme Serving Country: Centenary and Beyond
supplied by Sen Scullion’s office 16 May 2014
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orres Strait Islander artist, Harry Pitt, has won this year’s National NAIDOC Poster Competition for his artwork, Those who Stand to Defend our Land. The Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Nigel Scullion, and National NAIDOC Committee cochairs, Anne Martin and Benjamin Mitchell, announced Mr Pitt had won this year’s prize. “I congratulate Mr Pitt on being this year’s NAIDOC Poster artist,” said Minister Scullion. “Mr Pitt’s artwork was selected from more than 110 quality entries that reflected this year’s NAIDOC
theme – Serving Country: Centenary & Beyond. “The artwork is a great example of recognising the contributions that Indigenous Australians make to our country and our society, which is what NAIDOC week is all about.” Along with a $5,000 cash prize, Mr Pitt’s artwork will feature on the 2014 National NAIDOC poster which will be displayed in schools, workplaces, and community organisations across Australia to promote NAIDOC Week 2014, held from 6-13 July. The artist describes his artwork, which features three men in uniform, as acknowledging Indigenous soldiers who are protecting their home.
“Those who Stand to Defend our Land depicts three brothers with their land behind them and the horizon before them with their Elders reflecting in the water, giving them strength to overcome what lies over the horizon,” Mr Pitt said. The Australian Government is delivering more than $2.2 million this year to support the annual NAIDOC Week celebrations, including the National NAIDOC Awards and over 550 local NAIDOC celebrations around the country. Minister Scullion, Ms Martin and Mr MitchelI congratulated all of the talented artists who took part in this year’s competition.
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