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Tarnanthi Art Fair goes online in 2022 with thousands of works from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists

The Tarnanthi Art Fair returns as an online event, along with a series of public programs including creative workshops and language tutorials.

Photo: Norah Abbott

The Art Gallery of South Australia’s popular Tarnanthi Art Fair will return as an online event from Friday 14 to Monday 17 October 2022. Bigger than ever before, the 2022 Tarnanthi Art Fair will also offer a series of public programs including creative workshops both online and in person, language tutorials in Kaurna, Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara, and an online discussion about buying art ethically.

Following the success of last year’s art fair, the 2022 event will again run 100% online, offering global audiences a chance to buy works of art and connect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists before AGSA presents the next statewide Tarnanthi Festival in 2023.

This year’s Tarnanthi Art Fair will feature a dynamic range of paintings, ceramics, sculpture, woven objects, jewellery, textiles, clothes and homewares, created by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, working independently and from more than 50 art centres across the country.

Tarnanthi Artistic Director, Nici Cumpston OAM says, ‘With such success in 2021, we are thrilled that the Tarnanthi Art Fair will return to reach new audiences around the world and build deeper understanding with those who have enjoyed our Art Fairs since 2015. We acknowledge that cultural learning begins at home. Living with the stories held within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art is one way to gain insight and a deeper appreciation for Aboriginal art and cultures.’

AGSA Director Rhana Devenport ONZM says, ‘Not only is the Tarnanthi Art Fair fast becoming an enduring platform that supports economic empowerment and cultural resilience for remote communities, it is also a place of learning, listening and appreciation of the wellspring of creativity at the heart of art centres across Australia.’

Since 2015, more than $5.4 million of art has been sold through the Tarnanthi Art Fair, which operates under the Indigenous Art Code and supports the ethical production and sales of works of art by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. All proceeds go directly to the artists and art centres, delivering tangible economic benefits to communities.

Art centres participating in the 2022 Tarnanthi Art Fair include:

Anindilyakwa Arts (NT); APY Art Centre Collective (SA); Artists of Ampilatwatja (NT); Arts Ceduna (SA); Bábbarra Women’s Centre (NT); Baluk Arts (VIC); Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists (NT); Buku Larrŋgay Mulka Centre (NT); Bula’bula Arts (NT); Cheeditha Art Group (WA); Djilpin Arts (NT); Durrmu Arts (NT); Gapuwiyak Culture and Arts (NT); Hermannsburg Potters (NT); Ikuntji Artists (NT); Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre (NT); Injalak Arts (NT); Iwiri Arts (SA); Jilamara Arts and Craft Association (Tiwi Islands); Juluwarlu Art Group (WA); Kira Kiro Artists (WA); Independent artists represented by Ku Arts (SA); Mangkaja Arts (WA); Maningrida Arts & Culture (NT); Martumili Artists (WA); Milingimbi Art and Culture (NT); Minyma Kutjara Arts Project (WA); Mirndiyan Gununa – MIART Mornington Island Art (QLD); Moa Arts (Torres Strait); Munupi Art And Crafts Association (Tiwi Islands); Nagula Jarndu (WA); Ngukurr Art Centre (NT); Ninuku Arts (SA); Numbulwar Numburindi Arts (NT); Oak Valley Art Centre (SA); Papulankutja Artists Aboriginal Corporation (WA); Papunya Tjupi Arts (NT); Pormpuraaw Arts & Cultural Centre Incorporated (QLD); Purple House (NT); Spinifex Hill Studio ((WA); Tangentyere Artists (NT); Tjala Arts (SA); Tjanpi Desert Weavers (NT); Tjarlirli Art Indigenous Corporation (WA); Utopia Art Centre (NT); Waringarri Arts (WA); Warlayirti Artists (WA); Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation (NT); Warmun Art Centre (WA); Wik & Kugu Arts Centre (QLD); Yinjaa-Barni Art (WA).

PUBLIC PROGRAMS

Buying Art Ethically

Online discussion

Tuesday 11 October, 6-8pm

Free, bookings essential

Join an online discussion about the importance of buying art ethically. Ask questions and hear expert views as the Art Gallery of South Australia’s Assistant Director Dr Lisa Slade leads a conversation with Indigenous Art Code CEO Gabrielle Sullivan, Tarnanthi Artistic Director Nici Cumpston and Lisa Waup, a mixed-cultural, First Peoples multidisciplinary artist and curator.

Art sales are the primary income source in many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Buying works that are produced and sold ethically ensures artists and those around them are paid fairly and shows respect for the world’s oldest living culture. It also protects the buyer’s investment.

The Indigenous Art Code is a voluntary industry code of conduct that art dealers commit to follow to ensure ethical practices and fair treatment of artists. This online discussion will unpack the importance of the Indigenous Art Code and explore what questions to ask if you’re unsure of a work’s provenance. Tarnanthi and the Tarnanthi Art Fair are proud to be part of the Indigenous Art Code.

Weaving with Rose Wilfred from Numbulwar Numburindi Arts

Online workshop

Wednesday 12 October, 11am-1pm

Members $35 / Non-Members $45, bookings essential

Champions of fibre art, artists from the Numbulwar region combine locally harvested pandanus with abandoned fishing lines and nets retrieved from Numbulwar’s shoreline. Head to Arnhem Land in this online workshop with expert weaver Rose Wilfred and be guided through weaving techniques Numbulwar way. Includes weaving kit. 

Weaving Anindilyakwa Way

Online workshop

Thursday 13 October, 11am-1pm

Members $35 / Non-Members $45, bookings essential

Sit virtually with artists from Anindilyakwa Arts on Groote Eylandt and learn to weave using materials prepared by the artists and their communities. Celebrated for their bush-dyed silk and innovative use of found materials, the artists from Anindilyakwa love to laugh, tell stories and share their culture. Join them online at Tarnanthi and make a basket or flat weaving to hang on your wall. Includes weaving kit.

Watercolour painting with Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre

Online workshop

Friday 14 October, 11am-12:30pm

Members $35 / Non-Members $45, bookings essential

Join the descendants of Albert Namatjira and directly experience their approach to watercolour painting. This online workshop takes participants to Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) to learn with Western Aranda artists as they demonstrate their watercolour painting technique. Includes watercolour painting materials.

Weaving workshop with Sonya Rankine

In-person workshop at AGSA

Saturday 15 October, 1-3pm

Members $35 / Non-Members $45, bookings essential

For Ngarrindjeri, Narungga and Ngadjuri artist Sonya Rankine, weaving is more than just art – it is an important practice of cultural revival and maintenance. Join Sonya for an in-person weaving workshop at AGSA and be introduced to traditional Ngarrindjeri and Ngadjuri weaving techniques. Sonya will guide you as you make your own small basket or mat using natural materials. This in-person workshop is suitable for all ages and skill levels. All materials supplied.

Kaurna Language Video

Online 24/7

Free

Naa marni. Join Taylor Tipu Power-Smith from Kaurna Warra Pintyanthi for an introduction to Kaurna language. In this video, you will learn about the Kaurna language through common greetings and words that reference the art world. Kaurna is the language of the Traditional Owners of Adelaide and the Adelaide Plains.

Pitjantjatjara–Yankunytjatjara Language Video

Online 24/7

Free

Palya. Join Pitjantjatjara artist Nyunmiti Burton and Yankunytjatjara artist Sandra Pumani from the APY Art Centre Collective as they present an introduction to their closely related languages. In this video, you will be introduced to common greetings and words that reference art and culture. Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara are Western Desert languages spoken in the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in the far northwest of South Australia, which include the communities of Pukatja, Indulkana, Mimili, Kaltjiti and Amata.

For full program details and to register for event reminders, visit agsa.sa.gov.au.

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