Tyrone received the $20,000 prize to go toward the creation of a major piece of work.  The 23-year-old works in a variety of media and is best known locally for his films featuring Gumbaynggirr language.

Australia Council board director Lee-Ann Buckskin said Tyrone would now be mentored by other respected artists as well as Aboriginal Elders.  “Tyrone’s project will be GIIDANYBA – glowing, interactive humanoid sculptures, emitting sound and 2m tall, which symbolise the knowledge keepers of the old world,” Ms Buckskin said.

Tyrone joined three other indigenous artists honoured at the National Indigenous Arts Awards.  Melbourne musicians Bart Willoughby and Dave Arden were awarded fellowships.  Central Australian Hector Tjupuru Burton received the $50,000 Red Ochre Award for his lifetime contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait art.

CULTURE: Young Gumbaynggirr filmmaker Tyrone Sheather.

This article is from the Coffs Coast Advocate newspaper.  Please click here to view the original on their website.

To check out the photographs from the awards, please click here to view the images.