Isabel, a 22-year-old Arabana and Kokatha visual artist, is currently part of Carclew’s artist residency program Sharehouse and also has work on show this month in the STRNG WMN exhibition showing at The Mill as part of Tarnanthi Festival.

“The scattered symbols and dots throughout the painting hold meanings that will shift in the eye of the beholder,” she says of her poster design, titled A Whimsical World.

“They represent the hundreds of gatherings, performances, venues and exhibitions that take place across the city throughout Adelaide Fringe, highlighting the many unique and fulfilling experiences available.

“Each colour used to create the piece represents something different: red symbolises adventure, orange is excitement, pink is creativity, yellow is positivity, green is life, brown is diversity, blue is imagination, purple is spirituality, silver is magic, gold is connection, and white is joy. The combination of these colours celebrates the spirit of the Adelaide Fringe and all it has to offer.”

Today’s unveiling of the winning poster heralds the countdown to next year’s Fringe, which will be held from February 18 to March 20.

A Whimsical World was selected from 360 entries, with Isabel winning $3000, plus free event registration and support to present her own exhibition as part of the 2022 Fringe.

Fringe director and CEO Heather Croall says the design by Isabel – the first Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander poster winner in the festival’s 62-year history ­– was a standout to the judging panel and “a runaway favourite in the public vote”.