NT News - National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards

The painting, Tyemeny Liman's Wutinggi - Grandpa Harry's Canoe - was voted the People's Choice out of 104 finalists on display at the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT (MAGNT).

Artist, Helen McCarthy Tyalmuty, 34, was "very excited" about the award.

"I never won anything like this," she said. "(The people) must have taste."

Ms Tyalmuty, who's country is Balgul southwest of Darwin , said the painting is about her grandfather.

"In his day he was the best canoemaker in his country," she said.

"It's a sad story and a good story at the same time. It's the last canoe that he ever made."

Tyalmuty's grandfather stopped making canoes when he heard that education would help his children.

He left his country with a heavy heart and sent his children to school on the Cox Peninsula.

Tyemeny Liman passed away in June, aged 91.

This is the most prestigious Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award in Australia," said MAGNT Senior Curator of Aboriginal Art Frachesca Cubillo.