BIDYADANGA ARTIST TAKES TOP HONOUR AT COSSACK ART AWARDS WITH NYURNMA — BURNT COUNTRY
Bidyadanga artist Jenny Butt has won the 2026 Cossack Art Awards’ top prize, leading a night that celebrated First Nations artists, Pilbara landscapes and stories passed between generations.
![[HERO PHOTO: Jenny Butt with her winning artwork, Nyurnma (Burnt Country), at the Cossack Art Awards. Suggested caption: Bidyadanga artist Jenny Butt won Best Overall Artwork at the 2026 Cossack Art Awards.]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5fd2f29cdec857066aa0a5c9/290cf884-3231-4189-ba55-f37edc79eab4/188A5386.jpg)
Bidyadanga artist Jenny Butt won Best Overall Artwork, Nyurnma (Burnt Country), at the 2026 Cossack Art Awards.
Jenny Butt was named the winner of Best Overall Artwork for Nyurnma (Burnt Country) at the Cossack Art Awards Gala Awards Night on July 18.
It was Jenny’s first time entering the Cossack Art Awards.
Speaking to Ngaarda Media after her name was announced, Jenny said she had dedicated the painting to her grandmothers and grandfathers.
She said her upbringing in Bidyadanga, time spent on Country and the knowledge shared by Elders continued to shape the colours, landscapes and stories within her work.
“Country, that’s where our heart is — especially through our ancestors and old people,” she said.
Jenny Butt, with her sister receiving Best Overall Artwork at the Cossack Art Awards 2026
Jenny said painting alongside Elders had taught her how stories could be carried through canvas.
She encouraged young Aboriginal artists who may feel uncertain about entering artwork to trust their own connection to Country.
“You paint with your heart,” she said.
“Paint with your heart and reflect to Country.”
Nyurnma (Burnt Country) reflects the cultural practice of carefully burning Country to support regeneration, hunting and the health of the landscape. Judges praised the work for its immediate impact and depth of colour and composition.
Jenny Butt’s winning work reflects the cultural practice of burning to care for Country, Image by KDCCI, Cossack Art Awards.
Award recipients Ngaarda Media spoke to
Jenny Butt — Best Overall Artwork — Nyurnma (Burnt Country)
A richly layered representation of burnt Country and the cultural practice of using fire to care for and regenerate the landscape.Allery Sandy — Pilbara Landscape — After the Cyclone
A painting exploring the destruction, cleansing and renewal that follows a cyclone, as rivers flow, debris is cleared and new growth returns to Country.Rodney Adams — Best Artwork by a Pilbara Artist — Roebourne Town mid-80s
A map-like recollection of Roebourne during Rodney’s childhood, capturing landmarks, roads, the river and places that have changed as the town has developed.Jade Edgar — Highly Commended — Maggie Munda
A portrait of Annie Maggie Munda that captures her strength, humour and deep longing to return to Country. The work was submitted in the Portraits category.Marlene Harold - Highly Commended - Early Morning Mist
Morning Mist, an intricate painting inspired by mist settling across country in the early morning.
Country renewed after the cyclone
Allery Sandy won the Pilbara Landscape category for After the Cyclone.
Allery Sandy said she had attended the awards hoping her painting might sell and find a home with somebody who appreciated its story.
Instead, she was announced as the winner of the Pilbara Landscape category.
The result gave her “a bit of a boost”, but also brought thoughts of family members who were no longer there to share the moment.
“I wish my big sister was still around to share this winning with me,” she said.
After the Cyclone depicts a familiar Pilbara cycle of disruption and renewal.
Allery said cyclones could bring damage and wash rubbish through rivers and communities, but the water also brought freshness and new growth.
When the river settled, families could return to swim, cook and spend time together on Country.
Allery said her colour choices were influenced by constantly observing the landscape around her, from inland hills to the coastline and the changing seasons.
She urged emerging artists to continue sharing the stories held within them.
“Press on and don’t be afraid to tell your story,” she said.
“Whatever story’s in your heart, put it on the canvas and let the whole world know.”
Rodney Adams paints the Roebourne he remembers
Rodney Adams with Roebourne Town mid-80s. Rodney Adams began painting in 2021 and has now won Best Artwork by a Pilbara Artist.
Rodney Adams only began painting in 2021 after his grandmother encouraged him to visit the art centre and “get stuck into painting”.
Five years later, he has won the award for Best Artwork by a Pilbara Artist.
Rodney said he was nervous and shaking when he realised his name had been announced.
His winning work, Roebourne Town mid-80s, records the town as he remembers it from childhood.
The painting includes roads and community landmarks that have since changed, including a former shop and fuel station where children would buy bread and lollies before heading down to the river.
Rodney said he wanted to preserve the differences between the Roebourne of his childhood and the town as it exists today.
His next step is to create another painting showing the modern town, forming a before-and-after record of the changes experienced by the community.
For young artists searching for inspiration, Rodney said they should begin with their own memories.
“Close your eyes and think back on what you did as a child, or where you’ve been as a child,” he said.
“Put that in your head, and then start painting it.”
A portrait of strength and longing for Country
Jade Edgar with her portrait of Annie Maggie Munda.
Jade Edgar received a Highly Commended recognition for Maggie Munda, a portrait created after spending time with Annie Maggie Munda in Port Hedland.
Jade said she was surprised when she heard Maggie’s name announced and saw the portrait appear on the screen.
She described Maggie as a beautiful woman with a memorable laugh and a strong, staunch presence.
Rather than painting Maggie smiling, Jade chose to capture a more serious expression that had stayed with her after their time together.
The portrait also explores Maggie’s connection to Country and the sadness she carried when she was unable to return to her homeland.
“It’s a beautiful privilege to tell someone’s story,” Jade said.
She encouraged artists to enter awards, even when they were unsure whether their work would be recognised.
“If you don’t enter, you’ve got absolutely no chance,” she said.
“Just paint, paint, paint — fall back in love with the art.”
Morning mist settles across Country
Marlene received a Highly Commended recognition for her painting Morning Mist.
Marlene also received a Highly Commended recognition for her work Morning Mist, an intricate painting inspired by mist settling across the landscape in the early morning.
She said she began with a blue background before building the artwork through layers of poured paint, line work and dotting.
The finished work reflects mornings when mist covers the bush and gathers near the river.
Marlene said the mist was beautiful to observe and brought moisture that was good for the plants and Country.
The painting adds another view of the Pilbara landscape to the awards exhibition, capturing a quieter moment of weather and seasonal change.
Marlene with walking up to receive her award for Morning Mist.
Bobbi Lockyer’s full-circle judging moment
Bobbi Lockyer at the gala or examining artworks with the judging panel.
For artist, photographer and fashion designer Bobbi Lockyer, joining the judging panel represented a full-circle moment.
Born and raised in Port Hedland, Bobbi said the Pilbara’s red dirt, sea Country, wildflowers, coral and sunsets were the greatest inspirations behind her creative work.
She had entered the Cossack Art Awards several times while growing up and said returning as a judge was an honour.
Bobbi said judging was not only about an artist’s technical ability, composition or choice of colour.
Instead, she looked at the story an artwork told and the emotions it created for the person standing before it.
“How does a piece of artwork make me feel?” she said.
“What story does this artwork tell, and how does it make the viewer feel?”
Bobbi said choosing between works was difficult because art was subjective and each judge brought different experiences to the process.
However, some pieces immediately stood out to the panel.
Her message to emerging First Nations artists was to continue telling their stories, enter competitions and reject those who discouraged their ambitions.
“Keep painting if that’s what your passion is,” she said.
“Put your artwork out in the world, because it’s going to make someone smile.”
Art carried through family
Artist Treinaya and with her brother, jayden, says painting, family and cultural storytelling remain closely connected
Artist Treinaya Phillips also spoke to Ngaarda Media about presenting a new style of work inspired by wildflowers growing around waterholes after heavy rain, Garduwarra Gambara.
She said the painting was an experiment developed when she had limited time to prepare an entry, allowing her to try a new technique while continuing to tell a story connected to Country.
Treinaya’s introduction to painting came through family and the art centre.
While still at school, she watched her nannas and aunties paint before Allery Sandy helped her develop the story for her first artwork.
Her mother and sister also paint, while younger family members, and her son are beginning to show an interest in art.
Treinaya said painting helped her manage stress and difficult emotions.
“When you’re down and not feeling good, I always just grab a canvas and start painting,” she said.
“That helps me feel good.” “My son, also likes to help”
She encouraged young artists and mothers to paint their culture and seek support when shyness or uncertainty held them back.
Artist, Mentor, Mum and Inspirational Yinjibarndi Artist, Treinaya Phillips is grounded in culture and filled with aspirations of big dreams walking in the steps of her grandmother, and learning off her mothers and grandmothers
Ngaarda Media at the Cossack Art Awards
Ngaarda Media spoke with Best Overall Artwork winner Jenny Butt, category winners Allery Sandy and Rodney Adams, Highly Commended artist Jade Edgar, judge Bobbi Lockyer and artist Trenaya.
Together, their interviews showed that the Cossack Art Awards were about more than prizes.
The artists spoke about the strength found in Country, the importance of preserving community memories, the role of Elders and the responsibility of carrying stories forward to younger generations.
The 2026 Cossack Art Awards exhibition remains open in the historic town of Cossack until August 9.
Award Winners at the Cossack Art Awards 2026