2024 Winner of Kestin Indigenous Illustrator Award Announced 

Friday, Sep 27, 2024 

Australia’s leading independent Indigenous publisher, Magabala Books, is thrilled to announce Warren Tyrrell as the winner of the third Kestin Indigenous Illustrator Award.  

Warren Tyrrell, is a proud descendant of the Waanyi and Kalkadoon people, and has ties to Ngati Mutunga, Ngati Manu, Te Atiawa iwis from Aotearoa. Warren is an interdisciplinary musician, writer, visual artist, and movement artist.  

As the recipient of the Kestin Award for 2024, Warren will receive $10,000, a professional mentorship, and will have the opportunity to illustrate children’s picture book “March of the White Ants” by Josie Boyle with Magabala Books.  

Warren is so excited to have won this year’s Kestin Award. He expresses his gratitude, saying:

“At my core, it is essential for me to amplify, celebrate, and honour the stories and experiences of First Nations people. As a proud Blak artist and storyteller, my goal is to always address the urgent issues of our time, allowing audiences to see their own strength and struggles reflected in my work. I aim to empower and instil resilience in young readers through my illustrations, and I hope to inspire meaningful reflections and contribute to positive transformations within individuals and communities”.

Applications for the Kestin Indigenous Illustrator Award were received from all over Australia, and entries for the award this year were judged by Magabala’s First Nations Publisher, Rachel Bin Salleh, and Senior Editor, Margaret Whiskin. The judges would also like to make a special mention to artists Joanne Nasir, and Mariah Sweetman for their entries which demonstrated natural talent and an eye for detail. They will be considered for future projects with Magabala Books. 

Funding for the Kestin Award has been made possible through the generous support of the Kestin Family Foundation.  

Magabala Books’ publishing team will commence collaborating with Warren, with the aim to release Josie Boyle’s picture book illustrated with his designs next year. 

Pictured: Warren Tyrrell 

Over a 30+ year period, Magabala Books has published more than 250 titles by Indigenous storytellers, authors and illustrators, and built an impressive resume of award-winning titles, including Bruce Pascoe’s best-selling work Dark Emu. The Kestin Award expands Magabala Books’ unparalleled program of professional development opportunities for Indigenous authors and illustrators. 

Enjoy other books by Kestin Indigenous Illustrator Award winners  

Charmaine Ledden-Lewis – Charlie's Swim, Found 

Johnny Wakaja Malliburr – Little Bird’s Day, The River, Thank you rain!