Celebrating OUR MOB 2020

CELEBRATING

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ART BY SOUTH AUSTRALIAN ABORIGINAL ARTISTS

8 OCTOBER – 26 NOVEMBER ADELAIDE FESTIVAL CENTRE

adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au

A C E L E B R AT I O N O F O U R M O B D U R I N G T H E T I M E O F C O V I D -1 9

ABOUT OUR MOB

OUR MOB: Art by South Australian Aboriginal Artists is

Since 2006, OUR MOB: Art by South Australian

an annual exhibition for which artists come together

Aboriginal Artists has provided a platform for

from around the state with friends and family to

contemporary First Nations artists to share their

celebrate art-making across South Australia. However,

stories, ideas and art with audiences.

as with many exhibitions during the time of COVID-19,

OUR MOB cannot proceed in its usual format this year.

The annual exhibition showcases the diversity and depth of works created by First Nations artists across

Instead, Adelaide Festival Centre presents an

South Australia, developing the careers of many and

exhibition of artworks from previous OUR MOB

generating direct-to-artist sales.

exhibitions that have been acquired for the expansive Works of Art Collection.

Adelaide Festival Centre’s Works of Art Collection was established in 1970, when over-subscribed funds from the public appeal to build the Festival Theatre were set aside to commission and purchase works of art by leading artists of that time.

The Works of Art Collection is a significant public collection of Australian and international art that reflects the history of Adelaide Festival Centre and Australia’s visual and performing arts histories.

Adelaide Festival Centre respects the Kaurna peoples’ spiritual relationship with their country. We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land and acknowledge that they are of continuing importance to those people living today.

OUR MOB is celebrated for its inclusiveness, accessibility for artists and its collaborative approach.

Adelaide Festival Centre gratefully acknowledges ongoing partnerships with Ku Arts and SICAD; Country Arts SA; The Don Dunstan Foundation; Tarnanthi; and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and culture centre managers and coordinators across South Australia.

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N E L L I E C O U LT H A R D

In Pitjantjatjara language, ‘Ngura’ translates as ‘Country’ and describes the

Australia, Yankunytjatjara/Pitjantjatjara people Born 1947, resides Indulkana

physical geography and the diverse landscape of the APY Lands. Ngura also

Ngura (Country)

connections, skin groups, and language.

2016, acrylic on canvas, 122 x 167 cm

has a richer embedded meaning as a place to which someone belongs; family

Paintings of Ngura often portray personal stories and memories of Country.

Iconography representing significant elements within the desert landscape (such as rock holes, underground springs, mountains, rock formations, and sacred sites) are meticulously recorded from the artists’ memory, and are often depicted from an aerial perspective.

Nellie Coulthard is represented by Iwantja Arts, An_angu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, South Australia.

Adelaide Festival Centre Works of Art Collection.

Acquired from the exhibition OUR MOB 2016.

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K A N I PA T R I C I A T U N K I N

Kani Patricia Tunkin was born on Pitjantjatjara Lands, South Australia. In 2014,

Australia, Pitjantjatjara people Born 1981, resides Kanpi/Nyapari

she explained her work, Malili Tjukurpa:

Malili Tjukurpa 2014, acrylic on Belgian linen, 100 x 150 cm

This is the country of Malilu.

Malilu is a creation being from the Tjukurpa (Dreamtime). Minyma Malilu nyinanyi wana ngka munu piti (The woman, Malilu, is sitting with her digging stick and collecting bowl). She has been performing inma (important ceremonial dance for country), and she has left her dancing tracks behind in the sand.

Malilu was a crippled woman. Her two daughters ran off to get married, leaving Malilu to fend for herself. It was difficult for her to collect bush foods and water because she had to drag her leg as she walked. Through much effort she collected kampurarpa, wiriny-wirinypa, tawalpa munu mai kutjupa-kutjupa (desert raisins, bush tomatoes, berries, and kinds of wild foods). Malilu dug out a cave in the earth, katatjitj. It had a small opening but expanded into a huge underground cavern. She would hide her surplus food there for times when she was hungry or too tired to go out hunting. She would make inma (ceremony) in the cave.

Kani Patricia Tunkin is represented by Tjungu Palya Arts, An_angu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, South Australia.

Adelaide Festival Centre Works of Art Collection.

Acquired from the exhibition OUR MOB 2014.

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A N G E L A WAT S O N

Angela Watson is from Pipalyatjara in the An _angu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara

Australia, Pitjantjatjara people Born Warburton, 1966

(APY) Lands of South Australia, and primarily paints the Dreamings of her home

Malili Tjukurpa 2017, acrylic on canvas, 105 x 133 cm

country. In 2017, Watson explained her work Minyma Tjukurpa: ‘This is a women’s Dreaming story about women travelling to a rockhole.

Tjukula (rockholes) are important places to An_angu (people of the An _angu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, South Australia) as they are a source of kapi, kuka and mai (water, meat and bush foods). They also play an important role in Dreaming stories, known as tjukurpa.’

Quote courtesy of Ninuku Arts.

Adelaide Festival Centre Works of Art Collection.

Acquired from the exhibition OUR MOB 2017.

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MUMU MIKE WILLIAMS

Mumu Mike Williams explained that his painting is about minyma kutjura

Australia, Pitjantjatjara people Born Pukatja, 1952, died Alice Springs, 2019

travelling from Kevin’s Well. The women travelled through Palm Valley eating

Minyma Kutjura – Two Women Travelling

as Telegraph Station. On their travels they passed through a camel farm.

2015, acrylic on Belgian linen, 150 x 100 cm

Adelaide Festival Centre Works of Art Collection.

Acquired from the exhibition OUR MOB 2015.

mai (bush food) and ili (wild fig). They then walked to Bungaloo, known today

Mumu Mike Williams was represented by Mimili Maku Arts, Mimili Community, An_angu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, South Australia.

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C E D R I C VA RCO E

Cedric Varcoe described the story behind this artwork:

Australia, Ngarrindjeri people Born 1984, resides Point Pearce

In the Dreamtime of Ngarrindjeri Country, Ngurunderi made our Ruwe (country).

Ngarrindjeri Ruwe Dreaming 2019, acrylic on canvas, 107 x 66 cm

The Murray River used to be a small stream. Ngurunderi travelled down the Murray in his canoe, through what is now Ngarrindjeri country. Ngurunderi was looking for his two wives who had run away from him to follow Pondi. Pondi was the big Murray Cod, who had created the twists and turns of the river when sweeping his huge tail from side to side. Ngurunderi was trying to spear Pondi all the way along his journey.

When they reached Lake Alexandrina, Ngurunderi’s brother in law, Nepele, helped spear and kill Pondi. Ngurunderi cut Pondi into many pieces, each piece creating a new species of fish that now populates the river system.

Ngurunderi travelled with his family, who also played an important part in the creation of Ngarrindjeri country. Ngurunderi taught them lore, dance, song, how to hunt and everything they needed to survive.

Ngurunderi made the rain that feeds the river and the country. With the rain came the rainbow, which can be seen in this painting. Ngurunderi also made the

Adelaide Festival Centre Works of Art Collection.

Acquired from the exhibition OUR MOB 2019.

Ngarrindjeri people, who live along and around the Murray River, the Coorong region, across to Cape Jervis and the southern regions of what is now Adelaide.

B EAV E R L E N N O N

From an early age, Beaver Lennon developed an interest in painting under

Australia, Mirning/Antakirinja people Born Adelaide, 1988

the influence of his grandfather, grandmother and mother, who are all highly

Break of Dawn

Centre in South Australia.

2010, Ceduna, acrylic on canvas, 60 x 103 cm

respected artists. Lennon began painting in 2005 at the Ceduna Arts & Culture

Lennon’s works explore his country through incredible realism and detail. He depicts specific aspects of the landscape, which include landforms, species of flora and fauna, and the atmospheric light that occurs at dawn and dusk. These paintings reflect Lennon’s deep connection and understanding of his country.

In 2010, Lennon’s painting Break of Dawn was awarded Adelaide Festival Centre’s South Australian Indigenous Acquisitive Art Award. This award provided a South Australian Indigenous artist with a significant professional development opportunity.

Lennon has been involved in major public projects in South Australia, including a series of murals around Ceduna.

Adelaide Festival Centre Works of Art Collection.

Recipient of the Adelaide Festival Centre’s 2010 OUR MOB South Australian Indigenous Acquisitive Art Award. Acquisition made possible through a private donor.

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REG DODD

Reg Dodd is an artist, political activist, historian, Arabunna elder and custodian

Australia, Arabunna people Born Arabunna, 1940

for the Maree and Lake Eyre region of South Australia. By displaying his art,

Textures of Country (8)

feel about the land.

2012, photograph printed on canvas, 75 x 130 cm

Dodd offers viewers the opportunity to understand how First Nations people

Dodd uses his camera to make works of art that record his country. He says: ‘Tourists come through this place and say that there’s nothing to see out there.

They say it’s a big country with nothing in it. But I can go out and photograph any number of things just in a tiny area. I take photographs of things in their natural habitat. Nearly all my photos are of this area because I can identify with the places and the images, they’re part of me.’

Reg Dodd was born in 1940 at Finniss Springs Mission Station on the southern shore of Lake Eyre. As a teenager he worked as a stockman and on the railways. Dodd has worked as a photographer for the Departments of Environment and Planning, and First Nations Heritage. He also started Arabunna Tours, which is still operating today.

Adelaide Festival Centre Works of Art Collection.

Acquired by Adelaide Festival Centre Trust in 2012.

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KUNYI JUNE ANNE McINERNEY

Kunyi McInerney is a self-taught artist. McInerney’s paintings recount her

Australia, Yankunytjatjara people Born Todmorden Station, 1950

time at the Oodnadatta Mission Children’s Home as a member of the

Three Ladies on a Log 2018, acrylic on canvas, 76 x 91 cm

Stolen Generation.

McInerney says of her work: ‘These are my stories from a dry remote place where my experiences were so different from what Australian children know today. I want to tell my story, so they don’t ever do it again. They took away my family, my culture and who I could have been. These are not fairy tales. They are true and I want people to understand.’

McInerney is a master of vibrant colour. This work is a beautiful example of her use of bright pigment and deep facial expressions to share her past.

Three Ladies on a Log is a sweet memory from a bitter time.

‘In the 1950s, people from Adelaide would send up colourful clothes to the Oodnadatta Children’s Home. I loved it when they came into the Children’s Home to pick out the clothes as we kids weren’t usually allowed to see our families.’

Adelaide Festival Centre Works of Art Collection.

Acquired from the exhibition OUR MOB 2019.

TONY WILSON

Tony Wilson is a Kaurna/Ngarrindjeri/Narrunga contemporary artist based

Australia, Kaurna/Ngarrindjeri/Narrunga people Born Adelaide, 1980

in Adelaide. Influenced by his cultural heritage and country, Wilson’s work

Uncle 2018, acrylic on canvas, 80 x 160 cm

explores identity, collective resonance and connectedness.

Wilson won the prestigious Don Dunstan Award during the 2018 OUR MOB exhibition for his work, Uncle. Wilson says of Uncle: ‘This painting is an acknowledgement to the leaders in our community.

Not only past and present, but also future leaders. It suggests the importance of how our present choices have an impact on the people and environment – now and into the future. It’s about empowering ourselves through empowering others.’

Self-empowerment is a central theme in Wilson’s artistic practice. He is passionate about sharing knowledge and connecting with young people through his work. As an artist-in-residence at a local school he leads a youth art mentoring program. Looking beyond simply teaching students to create works, these classes aim to foster a place where children can express their feelings and find a way to connect with culture and family through art.

Adelaide Festival Centre Works of Art Collection.

Acquired from the exhibition OUR MOB 2018.

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