It’s Always been Always celebrates the work of six Blak artists who have a deep connection to culture, country and community.

The exhibition has everything from poignant, haunting imagery to women dancing and flying through the air like superheroes.

One of the most vibrant pieces is Kungka Kunpu, a film by the Iwantja Young Women’s Film Project, a group of female Indigenous artists from remote South Australia. 

• Some of the great artworks in It’s Always been Always.

Featuring dancing, singing and colourful pop-art, it’s a modern and vibrant take on living on Country. 

At one point, there’s even a woman flying through the air with a red beanie and sunglasses on.

“…us young women here in Indulkana love to dance and have fun and make each other laugh,” says artist Kaylene Whiskey.

“We’re proud to live on our land and hold on to our culture and our language.

“Us younger ones are from the generation that grew up with coca cola and TV as well as Tjukurpa (cultural stories) and bush tucker, so we like to have a bit of fun with combining those two different worlds.”

At the other end of the spectrum is a haunting installation by Harriette Bryant, a sobering nod to the testing of British nuclear weapons in WA and South Australia between 1952 and 1963.

Bryant takes everyday objects from that era like teapots, suitcases and mirrors, and paints horrifying imagery on them like mushroom clouds.

It’s a striking juxtaposition and illustrates how ordinary people’s lives were turned upside down by the nuclear weapons testing.

The large exhibition hall also features a glorious, colourful collection of paintings by Wendy Hubert, who was also deeply impacted by the nuclear weapons testing.

“I grew up in the station. I born in bush, and my mum died. 1959, I think, or something 60. That’s when atomic bomb blew and I was separated from my siblings,” Hubert says.

“And the welfare took my two sisters. You know, welfare come and get the children.

“It’s a hard life when people make assumptions about you, you know, as a little girl.

“I mean, it’s a struggle, too. You know, even though I grieve emotionally, I have been coming a long way, you know, my story and I’m an old woman now, you know, I want to be myself.”

Featuring trucks, horses and animals, Hubert’s art is like a giant comic strip of rural life in Australia. It’s testament to Hubert’s spirit that she can still see the joy in life after experience so much hardship.

Another striking work is a video depicting a silhouette of a woman holding her child.

It’s accompanied by eerie baby-like voices, which float through the Fremantle Arts Centre corridors.

Sitting in the dark, watching the video, it’s very immersive and atmospheric.

A nod to the fragility of life and the bond of mother and child.

It’s Always been Always is at the Fremantle Arts Centre until August 3. For more info see wfac.org.au.

by STEPHEN POLLOCK