The 4th National Indigenous Art Triennial: Ceremony presents work by thirty-five contemporary First Nations artists from across Australia as they explore how ceremonial acts continue to be a prevalent forum for artmaking in First Nations communities today. Curator Hetti Perkins, Arrernte and Kalkadoon peoples, says:
“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.”
Andy Snelgar, Ngemba people, Gulmirri (shield), 2021. Courtesy and © the artist
This immersive exhibition and program of events at the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra from 26 March to 31 July will challenge and unsettle; animate and heal. “The idea of artists as ‘radical agents’ is central to Ceremony with works that are active, works that are activist, works that activate,” adds Perkins.
A highlight of the opening weekend will be the inauguration of Mulanganggari yur-wang (alive and strong) by Dr Matilda House and Paul Girrawah House, a permanent public art installation of traditional tree scarring in the National Gallery Sculpture Garden. This exhibition and program of events reveal how ceremony is at the nexus of Country, culture and 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.
Hayley Millar Baker, Gunditjmara-Djabwurrung peoples, I Will Survive 2 from the series ‘I Will Survive’, 2020. © the artist. Courtesy the artist and Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne
Artists include:
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) & Boorljoonngali (Gija people), Margaret Rarru Garrawurra & Helen Ganalmirriwuy Garrawurra (Liyagawumirr-Garrawurra peoples), Dr Matilda House & 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); and Gutiŋarra Yunupiŋu (Gumatj people).
