NITV: Dr Fiona Foley takes top literary prize for truth-telling about QLD history
:quality(82)/media/news/FionaFoley1.jpg)
NITV: Dr Fiona Foley takes top literary prize for truth-telling about QLD history
Article by Nadine Silva
Badtjala artist, academic and NAS alumna Dr Fiona Foley has won the top prize at this year’s Queensland Literary Awards for her book which sheds a light on the colonial-era practise of paying Indigenous workers with opium.
The book ‘Biting the Clouds: A Badtjala perspective on the Aboriginals Protection and Restriction of the Sale of Opium Act, 1897’ took out the $25,000 Queensland Premier’s Award for a work of ‘State Significance’.
Read the full announcement through the link below. Find out more about the artist and her practice through the Sydney Morning Herald Spectrum article, published in 2020.
Image: Fiona Foley. Photo: Dominic Lorrimer.
Latest News
Monday 23 February 2026
:quality(82)/media/HERO-IMAGE.jpg)
Monday 23 February 2026
An exclusive new commission opportunity is now open to National Art School alumni who have graduated within the past five years, made possible through NAS Foundation member and award-winning architect and interior designer Blainey North.Fishnets, a new Japanese restaurant opening in Bronte, is seeking an artist to create a large-scale artwork across the restaurant interior and exterior. This is a…
Thursday 11 December 2025
:quality(82)/media/Awards-2025_272-2048x1366.jpg)
Thursday 11 December 2025
Major AwardsClitheroe Foundation Master of Fine Art Scholarship (2 x $10,000)Jed Payten and Nikita MaricicLift Off Award ($20,000)Frankie AbroonStandish and Co. Scholarship ($5,000, mentorship, and $5,000 voucher)Harri BarnesFire Up Award ($5,000)Lihnida Krstanoska-BlazeskaFire Up Award Highly Commended ($1,000)Cristelle CabreraEast Sydney Doctors Scholarship ($5,000)Rose RigleyNational Art Schoo…
Tuesday 30 September 2025
:quality(82)/media/news/board-announcement-new-photo.png)
Tuesday 30 September 2025
We are pleased to welcome three distinguished individuals to our Board of Directors. Each of our new board members brings a wealth of expertise, insight, and passion for the arts. Their diverse backgrounds and commitment to creative excellence will play a pivotal role in guiding NAS into its next chapter. Please join us in warmly welcoming: Emilya Colliver, Helen Lochhead AO and Lucy Keeler. Emil…