Tjukurpa irititja; Ara kuwaritja - Old Stories; New Ways

Keeping First Nations culture strong means finding new ways to tell ancient stories through art. Seven senior women artists from Ernabella embraced this to the full in these 23 distinctive new ceramics created at Iriwi Arts.

Produced during a period of joyful experimentation, they explored new clays, surfaces and glazes with curiosity and enthusiasm – at times working alongside ceramicists from Adelaide’s acclaimed Jam Factory.

Some of the artists were instinctively drawn to working with terracotta, its warm, earthy tones echoing the sand dunes of their traditional Country.

In Tjukurpa irititja; Ara kuwaritja familiar stories come to life on unfamiliar surfaces; glazes pool and call the light as the artists push their own and the medium’s boundaries, while grounded in the cultural knowledge forever informing their work.

Artists Rosemary Armstrong, Judy Armstrong, Inawinytji Stanley, Renita Stanley, Tjaruwa Dunn, Melissa Thompson and Audrey Brumby have created a body of work that effortlessly embraces tradition and experimentation, respect and playfulness.

Aboriginal Contemporary is proud to bring these 23 new and unique ceramic works to the Sydney and global audience they deserve.

View the catalogue HERE