FASCINATING and mysterious desert stories are brought to life in a new art exhibition in South Fremantle.

Showcasing the work of Ernabella artists, Ilkaṟi Lipi – Big Sky is inspired by the sand dunes, salt lakes, sandstorms and waterholes in the Musgrave Ranges of far north-west South Australia.

The title of the exhibition reflects the idea of people living and working together beneath one vast sky: “Under the big sky there are many stories. The sky isn’t a backdrop but an active presence, shaping movement, memory and time,” said a join artist statement.

Among the stories shared are Makinti Nimutjukur’s depictions of Ernabella Mission and memories of family holidays. 

The works provide important historical insight into life following the establishment of the mission in 1937, which positively supported the preservation of Anangu language, culture and traditions.

Many of the participating artists made the epic 2,300km journey from South Australia to attend the exhibition’s opening night at Earlywork gallery in South Fremantle.

“It was a five hour drive from Ernabella to Alice Springs, and then an overnight stay in Alice Springs to board a morning flight to Perth via Adelaide,” says Anna Kanaris, director of Artitja Fine Art Gallery.

Artitja has worked with Ernabella artists for over a decade, presenting regular group exhibitions and representing artists on an ongoing basis.

“Our first group exhibition with Ernabella artists was in 2015, and it has been a privilege to maintain that relationship and visit the remote community of Pukatja,” Kanaris says.

Memories

“Watching the artists paint and create their ceramics on site is very special.”

Pukatja is home to Ernabella Arts, Australia’s longest continuously operating Indigenous art centre, established in 1948.

Artists working through the centre have earned national and international recognition for excellence across multiple art forms, including painting and ceramics produced in the community’s fully equipped ceramics studio.

Artitja Fine Art Gallery is a signatory to the Indigenous Art Code, as is Ernabella Arts, an Indigenous-owned and run corporation that promotes and supports ethical practice in the creation and sale of First Nations art.

Ilkaṟi Lipi – Big Sky is showing at Earlywork, 330 South Terrace, South Fremantle until March 29. For more info see artitja.com.au.