Hayley Millar Baker, ‘Nyctinasty’ (still), 2021, installation view, commissioned by the National Gallery of Australia, image courtesy and copyright the artist
“Ceremony is testament that our culture has survived – not only over the many thousands of years but, particularly, the last couple of hundred years – because of its capacity for innovation and adaptability.” – HETTI PERKINS
Ceremony remains central to the creative practice of many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. This exhibition and program of events will animate and heal to reveal how ceremony is at the nexus of Country, of culture and of community.
From the intimate and personal to the collective and collaborative, ceremonies manifest through visual art, film, music and dance. Ceremonial practice has a performative element. At its heart is the concept of iteration, the artist’s conscious engagement with what has come before. Iteration can be expressed in the painted minutiae of tali (sandhills) or the click of a shutter.
The Triennial is the National Gallery’s flagship exhibition of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. The National Indigenous Art Triennial is made possible through the continued generosity of the National Gallery’s Indigenous Arts Partner Wesfarmers Arts and key philanthropic supporters.
Curator: Hetti Perkins, Arrernte and Kalkadoon peoples, Senior Curator-at-large, with National Gallery Curators.
ARTISTS:
Robert Andrew, Yawuru people
Joel Bray, Wiradjuri people
Kunmanara Carroll, Luritja and Pintupi peoples
Penny Evans, K/Gamilaroi people
Robert Fielding, Western Arrernte and Yankunytjatjara peoples
Nicole Foreshew, Wiradjuri people and Boorljoonngali, Gija people
Margaret Rarru Garrawurra and Helen Ganalmirriwuy Garrawurra, Liyagawumirr-Garrawurra peoples
Dr Matilda House and Paul Girrawah House, Ngambri (Walgalu) – Wallaballooa (Ngunnawal) – Pajong (Gundungurra) – Wiradjuri (Erambie) peoples
Hayley Millar Baker, Gunditjimara and Djabwurrung peoples
Mantua Nangala, Pintupi people
S.J Norman, Wiradjuri people
Dylan River, Kaytetye people
Darrell Sibosado, Bard people
Andrew Snelgar, Ngemba people
Joel Spring, Wiradjuri people
James Tylor, Kaurna people
Yarrenyty Arltere Artists: Marlene Rubuntja, Western Arrarnta people, Trudy Inkamala, Western Arrarnta and Luritja peoples, Dulcie Sharpe, Luritja and Arrernte peoples, Rhonda Sharpe, Luritja people, Roxanne Petrick, Alyawarre people, Nanette Sharpe, Western Arrarnta people, Sheree Inkamala, Luritja, Pitjantjara and Western Arrarnta peoples, Rosabella Ryder, Arrernte people, Louise Robertson, Walpiri people, Cornelius Ebatarinja, Western Arrarnta and Arrernte peoples
Tangentyere Artists: Betty Conway, Pitjantjatjara people, Nyinta Donald, Pitjantjatjara people, Sally M. Mulda, Pitjantjatjara and Luritja peoples, Majorie Williams, Western Arrarnta people, Lizzie Jako, Pitjantjatjara people, Grace Robinya, Western Arrarnta people, Doris Thomas, Luritja people
Gutiŋarra Yunupiŋu, Gumatj people
PUBLICATION:
The 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony digital exhibition publication is the first of its kind for the National Gallery of Australia. Available on any device, the digital publication brings Ceremony to you, wherever you may be.
With more than 35 First Nations artists featured in the exhibition, the artist’s voice is front and centre in this digital publication, where you can hear directly from the artist about their practice, about what drives them to make art and what role ceremony plays in their life.
Travel to the artist’s Country via sumptuous moving image postcards, and explore their artworks through install, process and studio photography. Each artist’s page also includes a description of their new commission and the artist’s biography.
Curated by leading Arrernte/Kalkadoon curator Hetti Perkins, the fourth iteration of the National Gallery’s landmark Triennial explores “the prevalence of ceremony as a forum for artmaking today in First Nations communities” through the processes of iteration, activism, history and caring for Country. Perkins describes her approach as “inclusive … one that’s founded on listening, making sure that people who don’t have a voice can have one”. From performance and the moving image, to painting, photography, sculpture and immersive installations, Ceremony articulates the central role of art and artists in connecting community, culture and Country: “Our people still hold our ceremonial practices close. They are part of our everyday lives”.
TOURING DATES & VENUES:
UQ Art Museum, QLD: 19 August 2022 – 26 November 2022
Shepparton Art Museum, VIC: 18 December 2022 – 26 February 2023
SOURCE: National Gallery of Australia.