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The Jury Art Prize 2026
Healing Scarf
Sylvia Wilson
Acrylic on canvas
"This painting brings together two strong women: Gisèle Pelicot, a French wanti [woman], & Martu wanti Mulyatingki Marney. Though they live in different countries, they are deeply connected through a silk scarf that symbolises strength & resilience. The scarf holds a powerful meaning - it is inspired by a painting by Marney titled Wirlarra & was gifted by Older Women’s Network Australia.
Both women stand firmly in their voices & their presence in the world. They stand strong together in love & solidarity, their strength speaking across cultures & distance.
I would love for both women to meet one day, & to take Gisèle Pelicot to Martu Country - to experience the feeling of walking on Martu land, to sit among Martu women, & to be present on Country. In doing so, she could experience deep healing & gain insight into Martu culture.
This work reflects not only the bond between two women, but also a shared story of endurance, identity, and the power of expression."


About the Artist
Sylvia Wilson
Pilbara
"I’m Sylvia Wilson, an emerging curator at Martumili Art Gallery. The first exhibion I curated was in 2021 with fellow artists Robina Willams and Corban Williams. Paper Wangka (Paper Story in Martu) exhibition unearthed paper artwork treasures from Martumili collecon as a professional development project for us three emerging curators. Since then I have lead the gallery team to curate and install a number of exhibions including Ngapikaja (the loose translaon thingamibobs) and Mikka (Bush foods). I also curated a show for Yaama ganu Gallery in NSW for this September 2023. I love working with spaces and amazing artwork. I love going through the process of selecon and coming up with themes that e the pieces together. I get so excited to see works the works we send to different galleries, stretched and hung on the walls in places like Darwin, Perth and Sydney. I also knew I was different from a young age. I remember saying it all the me, not understanding why unl now, in my late 30s. Mum Pat was a good mother — strict but loving. She wanted the best for me. We grew up in a big family. I didn’t know where I came from unl I was older. My Martu birth mother, Susan, was young. She also came from a big family and had a very cultural upbringing. We Martu people were the last to be discovered in Australia. For me, I say out loud: I have a Black mum and a white mum, living in two different worlds. I guess that’s being a true Australian."
