Our Mob: A Statewide Celebration of Regional and Remote South Australian Aboriginal Artists
Artspace Gallery, Adelaide Festival Centre
Until Sun 24 Sept



For me, this exhibition epitomises what the SALA (South Australian Living Artists) Festival is all about. 'Our Mob' presents artwork from regional and remote Aboriginal art centres and artists in an attempt to recognise and celebrate the diversity of histories, environments and customs that have essentially come from lived experience. Nyankulya Watson's highlight piece Aloysius is a great example of this where specific geographical sites are depicted on canvas, representing the artist's birthplace, water sources and travelling tracks. Painted this year, the work portrays a unique living connection between the artist and their life. Another example of this connection is Lana Karpany Jackson's Us Mob Playing In A Big Tree. Interesting in its use of figures, depth and perspective, the painting illustrates the 'Big Tree' icon of the artist's life, synonymous with childhood and carrying with it the stories and laws of both time and culture.

Perhaps the most important aspect of this exhibition however, is its self-stated aim of being a step in the reconciliation process. Artspace Gallery's conviction to promote Indigenous art and culture is admirable. Perfectly placed in central Kaurna country, 'Our Mob' is more than an exhibition. Rather, venue, artists and affiliated bodies have attempted to make a social and cultural impact on Adelaide audiences and visitors to our city during this festival period.


Tjala Arts
Art Images Gallery, Norwood
until Thurs 23 Aug



After the success of its Minymaku Arts exhibition for SALA 2005, Art Images Gallery has followed up its debut Indigenous art exhibition with Tjala Arts for SALA this year. A credit to the gallery's diverse exhibition programme, this show is an aesthetic delight. It showcases work by Tjala Arts artists who reside in Amata, the northern-most Aboriginal community in South Australia in the western Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands. With works that are contemporary and predominantly abstract, it seems Indigenous art has come a long way since the ochre toned dot paintings of Papunya Tula fame. Here the works are bold, bright, colourful and innovatively designed.

Known traditionally as a women's art centre, Tjala Arts (formerly Minymaku Arts) made the name change due to the somewhat recent encouragement and inclusion of male artists. Though still reasonably outnumbered in this exhibition, the works of the male artists involved are excellent. Tiger Palpatja's Mai pulka (plenty food) is quite amazing, given that the artist is approaching ninety years of age. Likewise, Ray Ken's Kapi tjukula (rock hole) is stunning in its use of colour, line and format.

Indigenous art created at art centres in remote communities often has a much more commercial value than its urban based counterpart. This can obviously be seen in how successful it has been in the art market place, particularly overseas. Let us not forget however, that there is more than just an aesthetic value found within this genre of artwork; that while we embrace the beauty of the works, we must also embrace their expression of deep-rooted cultural tradition.

Nerina Dunt





Ruby Tjangawa Williamson

Kapi tjukula (rock hole) 2006

acrylic on linen

Courtesy Art Images Gallery