SYMPOSIUM

Desert Mob 2023 Symposium
Friday 8 September 10AM – 3:30PM
Araluen Arts Centre Theatre
Ticketed

Returning for the first time since 2019, The Desert Mob Symposium is an unmissable opportunity for audiences to hear firsthand from Aboriginal artists about their work, projects, family and country. A day of presentations by Art Centres and special guests, the Symposium offers rich context to Desert Mob through presentations, interviews, film, and performance.

2023 SYMPOSIUM PROGRAM

Toni-Lord-and-Guts-Dance-Kwatje-performance

Toni Lord and Guts Dance, Kwatje, 2022. Courtesy the artist and Parrtjima Festival

AYENGE ARRWEKETYE

Emerging Arrernte/Yankunytjatjara choreographer Toni-louise Lord and Guts Dance share Contemporary Dance piece, Ayenge Arrweketye (I am Woman), an acknowledgement of Ancestral Aboriginal women and an interpretation of the embodiment of Ancestors that flows through the generational strength of women.

Mervyn Rubuntja and his work DON’T FRACK THE NT 2021 Photo by Oliver Eclipse. Courtesy Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) Art Centre

PRESENT TENSE: NEW DIRECTIONS
IN ILTJA NTJARRA ART

Mervyn Rubuntja, Selma Coulthard, Vanessa Inkamala and Dellina Inkamala with Western Aranda curator Marisa Maher talk about new projects, new mediums and new directions that are transforming the art of Iltja Ntjarra. In honouring the rich heritage of the Ntaria watercolourists in public art commissions and collaborative installations, the artists of Iltja Ntjarra are creating their own legacy.

Tangki, 2021, film still, copyright Tjanpi Desert Weavers, NPY Women’s Council

TANGKI AND KUKAPUTJU: FILM SCREENING
TJANPI DESERT WEAVERS

Tangki and Kukaputju are two short films produced by Tjanpi Desert Weavers that tell community stories from Irrunytju, Western Australia, and Pukatja, South Australia.

Manta-Pilti-Cabinet-by-Tanya-Singer-and-Trent-Jansen

Tanya Singer and Trent Jansen, Manta Pilti Cabinet. Photo by Fiona Susanto. Courtesy Maruku Arts

KURUNPA KUNPA | STRONG SPIRIT:
A MARUKU DESIGN COLLABORATION

Tanya Singer (Pitjantjatjara) and Errol Evans (Djabugay and Western Yalanji) discuss their Furniture Design Collaboration Project with Trent Jansen. Over the last 3.5 years Tanya, Errol and Trent have collaborated to design high-end furniture that have featured in several exhibitions and Design Fairs. The unique chairs, a cabinet and a credenza reflect Indigenous history, culture and their homeland.

The-Tjuntjuntjara-Nya-Cooking-Show---Mai-Wiru-Palanya,-film-still-Courtesy-of-Milpa

Still from The Tjuntjuntjara Nya Cooking Show / Mai Wiru Palanya. Courtesy of Milpa

CARS, CAMPS AND BUTTER CHICKEN:
NEW ANIMATION FROM MILPA

Milpa Tjuntjuntjara is the digital off-shoot of the Spinifex Arts Project. Along with The Tjuntjuntjara Nya Cooking Show / Mai Wiru Palanya cooking show animation, Milpa artists will premier Boulder Camp Movie. From the ‘tasteful’ to the topical, Milpa animations offer a unique insight into one of Australia’s most remote communities.

David Wallace, Wire in His Blood, video still. Courtesy Matt Deavin – TIL Pictures and Tapatjatjaka Art and Craft

Wire in His Blood: film screening
Tapatjatjaka Art and Craft

David Wallace’s short biopic, directed by Matt Deavin and presented by Tapatjatjaka Art and Craft, offers an insight into the inspiration for his ‘bush toy’ sculptures and the challenges he faces as a remote area renal patient in Titjikala.

Connection to Country camp, Wilkinkarra, 2022 Photo by Matteo Mazzella. Courtesy of Warlayirti Artists

NGURRA KUTJUWARRA (ON COUNTRY TOGETHER): WARLAYIRTI ARTISTS

Matthew West, Jane Gimme and Stephanie Yukenbarri discuss how Warlayirti Artists is supporting multigenerational families to visit their Ancestral Country. The Connection to Country program is essential to the social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of Kutjungka peoples. As renowned Warlayirti artist Helicopter Tjungurrayi expresses in his painting for Desert Mob, ‘My spirit has been really strong – travelling around has brought me a lot of strength.’

Hayley-Panagka-Coulthard-gathering-clay-from-Salta-Salta-Creek-at-Finke-River,-Western-Aranda-Country,-2023-Photograph-by-Ness-Sim-Courtesy-of-Hermannsburg-Potters

Hayley Panagka Coulthard gathering clay from Salta-Salta Creek at Finke River, 202. Photo by Ness Sim. Courtesy of Hermannsburg Potters

NTARIA CLAY - PAST AND PRESENT: HERMANNSBURG POTTERS

Artists Hayley Panangka Coulthard and Rona Panangka Rubuntja reveal the inspiration for Hayley’s Desert Mob work Ntariala arna urrknga (Ntaria clay). Sourced from local creeks, this clay has played an important role in the history of the Hermannsburg Potters and has inspired renewed experimentation in the work of Western Aranda ceramicists and their distinctive figurative sculptures.

Sally-M-Mulda-and-Marlene-Rubuntja.-Photo-by-Bec-Capp

Sally M. Nangala Mulda (left) and Marlene Rubuntja (right). Photo by Bec Capp. Courtesy ACMI & Tangentyere Artists

ARRKUTJA THARRA, KUNKGA KUTJARA, TWO GIRLS: FILM SCREENING

A heartwarming story of a friendship lost and found. Sally M Mulda (Tangentyere Artists) and Marlene Rubuntja (Yarrenyty Arltere Artists) recount their intertwining journeys of friendship and resilience. Commissioned by ACMI & Artbank and first screened at ACMI as part of their Two Girls from Amoonguna exhibition.

Magpie-Goose-x-Ewyenper-Atwatye-Artists.-Photograph-by-Rhett-Hammerton

Magpie Goose x Ewyenper Atwatye Artists. Photo by Rhett Hammerton

MAGPIE GOOSE X EWYENPER ATWATYE ARTISTS STORIES TO WEAR: EWYENPER ATWATYE ARTISTS + MAGPIE GOOSE

The Ewyenper Atwatye (Hidden Valley) artists of Tangentyere Artists are known for their boundless creativity. Tim McMahon, Stella McMillan, Carol Young are joined by the dynamic Magpie Goose duo Troy Casey (Kamilaroi) and Amanda Hayman (Wakka Wakka/Kalkadoon) to premier their wearable collaboration showing how to literally – and ethically – wear your heart on your sleeve!

Helen_Ebatarinja_wearing_her_mother_Roxanne_Partick_s_rooster_dress_and_rooster_soft_sculpture_Photos_by_Ellanor_Webb_Courtesy_of_Yarrenyty_Arltere_Artists (1)

Helen Ebatarinja, wearing her mother Roxanne Partick’s rooster dress and with rooster soft sculpture. Photos by Ellanor Webb. Courtesy of Yarrenyty Arltere Artists

YARRENYTY ARLTERE ARTISTS CULTURAL COUTURE: YARRENYTY ARLTERE ART MEETS FASHION

Marlene Rubuntja, Louise Robertson, Dulcie Sharpe, Rhonda Sharpe, Beth Ebatarinja and Vanessa Splinter introduce their latest limited edition wearable art, developed and made in their art centre in Mparntwe. The daughters and granddaughters of the Yarrenyty Arltere Artists will premiere the collection – direct from the Larapinta Town Camp to the Desert Mob runway!