The Desart Radar Spring 2022

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Culture first.

This year marked the first Aboriginal-led Desert Mob in the event’s 31-year history, owned and managed entirely by Desart. An annual celebration of Central Australian Aboriginal art and culture, this year was transformational and surpassed all expectations, bringing huge success for artists and their art centres. Desart worked closely with member art centres to present a strong program of events, adding short films and curatorial and artist talks to the program of the trademark exhibition and marketplace.

Image: Tinkerbee Dancers performing at Desert Mob 2022 opening. Photo by Desart.

One of the most significant shifts of Desert Mob 2022 was the move to an all Aboriginal curatorial team for the first time in the event’s history. Prominent Arrernte and Kalkadoon woman and international acclaimed curator, Hetti Perkins, joined the Desart team this year, collaborating with Western Aranda woman Marisa Maher, an assistant manager and curator who has worked on significant national exhibitions for her art centre Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands, based in Mparntwe. Another first, the exhibition was launched online where art lovers worldwide could browse and purchase works, further amplifying this important Mparntwe event.

Image: Desert Mob 2022 curatorial team Marisa Maher and Hetti Perkins. Photo by Oliver Eclipse, Desart.

Papunya Tula: 50 years

This year marks 50 years since the men of the Papunya art movement established one of the first Aboriginal-owned and directed arts companies, dedicated to the production of works for a commercial market. Papunya Tula Artists led to the development of remote art centres and emergence of Aboriginal artists in Central Australia.

To mark this important anniversary and to celebrate the works and stories shifting over generations, this striking linear work by George Tjungurrayi of Papunya Tula Artists represented the 2022 Desert Mob.

“Papunya Tula has remained a flagship art enterprise for our region, one that has a proud reputation both nationally and internationally.” – Philip Watkins, Desart CEO.

“It’s really nice to see that this is keeping going through generations, it’s about that legacy and the pride in sharing the culture and the story.” – Hetti Perkins, Desert Mob Curator.

Image: George Tjungurrayi, Untitled, 2021, acrylic on Belgian linen, 153 x 122. Image by Gretel Bell, courtesy Papunya Tula Artists.

Exhibition / 225 artists, 232 works, 32 art centres. So far 4,500 have visited the exhibition in Mparntwe and nearly 18,000 people have viewed the exhibition online, with 70% of the works sold.

Image: Desert Mob 2022 exhibition opening featuring works by Janie Kulyuru of Tjala Arts, and Simon Hogan, Lawrence Pennington and Ian Rictor of Spinifex Arts Project. Photo by Oliver Eclipse, Desart.

Welcome

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Desart Photography Prize – Celebrating 10 years

Image: Desart Photography Prize – Celebrating 10 years exhibition in the Desart Artspace.

The retrospective collection at Desart boasts the brilliant works from 2012 through to 2021. “As a first-time curator, my process was derivative of techniques I’d learned from Hetti and Kelli Cole (Curator of Special Exhibitions, National Gallery of Australia), whilst also implementing my own creative input.

I used the prevalent themes that stood out to me, including family, culture, and connection to Country. With the presence of these elements, it makes the photograph and, when viewed as a collection, that much more impactful to its audience.” – Aspen Beattie, Yawuru, Warumungu, Luritja woman & first-time curator from Desart.

Image: I Love My Family by Pamela Hogan of Papulankutja Artists from 2014, exhibited as part of the 10 year anniversary show.

“2022 was a very special year for the Desart Photography Prize. I was given the opportunity to curate a 10 Year commemorative exhibition under the mentorship of Hetti Perkins, (Senior Curator at large, National Gallery of Australia.)

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Culture first.

In 2022, the MarketPlace returned to its physical form after two years as an online only market due to COVID. Around 4000 people attended over the four hours to browse ethically produced, affordable artworks from 29 art centres, continuing to be an important and prominent platform for art centres to share stories and exciting new works. A public program of workshops and demonstrations were also running alongside the market, allowing visitors to participate in and learn artistic and cultural practices.

Image: Tjanpi Desert Weavers delivering a weaving workshop as part of the Desert Mob Public Program. Photo by Desart.