on now!
TELSTRA NATSIAA
2024 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards
Featuring Helicopter (Joey) Tjungurrayi
Patsy Mudgedell
Solo exhibition
past events
2024
DESERT DESCENDENTS
Desert Decedents features Helicopter Tjungurrayi, Christine Yukenbarri, and Stephanie Yukenbarri, acclaimed Australian artists hailing from the remote community of Balgo in Western Australia. As members of the same family their artistic talents have been passed down through generations, enriching their cultural heritage and preserving traditional art forms. Helicopter Tjungurrayi is renowned for his bold use of colour and intricate dot painting techniques, while Christine and Stephanie Yukenbarri bring an innovative and powerful aesthetic to their own artworks.
12 April – 19 May 2024, Short St Gallery
REVEALED: NEW & EMERGING WA ARTISTS
The annual exhibition for new and emerging artists returns to celebrate the creativity, ambition, and diversity of contemporary Aboriginal Art practice here in Western Australia.
The annual Revealed program includes an Art Market, artist talks and demonstrations, workshops and a special opening weekend celebration.
Balgo artists exhibiting in 2024 include Cindy Gibson, Maggie Nangagee and Hayley Mudgedell.
From 16 May 2024, Fremantle Arts Centre
Dulcie - Mamaku Tjukurr
In 2022, Dulcie Nanala Napaltjarri crossed the Great Sandy Desert to Wilkinkarra, the vast salt pan also known as Lake Mackay. It was the first time Dulcie had walked on her father’s Country, it was a profound experience that transformed her art.
Imelda & Miriam: Return to country
Born in 1954 Imelda Yukenbarri Gugaman stands as a testament to the profound resilience, cultural richness, and artistic brilliance of the Balgo Art movement. Since 2021 Warlayirti Artists has reconnected Imelda, along with her stepfather Helicopter & other families, to their Country. Through the Ngurra Kutjuwarra (On Country, Together) program the art centre has embarked on epic voyages to Nyinmi Outstation (west of Kiwirrkurra), taken to the sky by helicopter to return to Winpurpurla and other significant sites not accessible by road. Imelda emerged as a leader of the next generation Balgo artists, she continues to be a stalwart of the art centre, creating significant works of art resonating with a deep connection to her Ancestral lands and cultural stories.
Following in the footsteps of her Mother Biddee Baadjo (c 1935 – 2022) and sister Tossie Miriam Miriam Baadjo intricately weaves cultural narratives and contemporary experience into her vibrant artworks. With a distinct blend of traditional motifs and technical prowess her work invites you to engage with the rich tapestry of history, experience and Country, bridging the gap between the past and the present, traditional and contemporary.
21 June – 13 July 2024, Paul Johnstone Gallery
PARLKULUYA NINTI TJUNIN: BALGO MOB SHARING KNOWLEDGE
‘Warlayirti Artists represents artists across the four communities in the Kutungka region, in the southeast Kimberley , on the edge of the Great Sandy and Tanami Deserts. There are eight distinct language groups – Kukatja, Ngardi, Djaru, Walpiri, Walmajarri, Wangkajunga, Pintupi and Manvyjiljarra – each with their own history and stories to tell. Warlayirti Art Centre accommodates a community of artists diverse in age, cultural and life experience – some brought up in the traditional bush manner, others on the Mission and others in modern day community. For this multicultural and diverse artistic group, art is part of everday life and cultural continuity.’
From 9 July 2024, Yaama Ganu Gallery
2023
Wilkinkarra at Tarnanthi
Last century whitefella came with their cattle and proclaimed the great inland sea ‘Lake Mackay’. They didn’t know it already had a name, WILKINKARRA the life source from which Pintupi & Kukatja peoples had thrived for millennia.
Last year, 75-years after the Old People walked north, four generations retraced their footsteps, many for the first time. They returned to a place once visited only in stories and dreams. WILKINKARRA was never abandoned.
Towering tali, shimmering lakes and connecting creeks evolved into colour fields of optical wonder. Footsteps over land, dot after dot, retracing tracks once taken.
Tjumpo, Sunfly, Donkeyman – giants among the pantheon of Balgo masters. They mapped Wilkinkarra’s meaning for the world and for future generations in their art.
Here now is the next generation’s WILKINKARRA story, told and painted for posterity.
18 October 2023 – 30 January 2024, Art Gallery of South Australia
Desert Mob
Desert Mob showcases the most comprehensive survey of contemporary Aboriginal art by artists from Desart-member art centers from the desert regions and communities of the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia. The exhibition will feature hundreds of artworks from emerging and established artists.
Warlayirti artists exhibiting include Jane Gimme, Sadie Paddoon, Miriam Baadjo, Angie Tchooga, Stephanie Yukenbarri, Helicopter Tjungurrayi and Imelda Yukenbarri.
7 September – 22 October 2023, Araluen Arts Centre
MANY PAINTINGS, MANY DREAMINGS
Aboriginal Contemporary & Warlayirti Artists present an exhibition of new works from from senior and emerging Balgo artists.
5 August 2023, Aboriginal Contemporary, Sydney
HADLEY ART PRIZE
The Hadley’s Art Prize celebrates excellence in contemporary landscape art. We are over the moon Dulcie Nanala has been selected as a finalist in this year’s Prize. The work selected was created in response to our camp to Wilkinkarra (Lake McKay) last year: an infinite Salt Lake of supreme importance to Kukatja and Pintupi families.
21 July – 22 August 2023, Hadley’s Orient Hotel, Hobart
ALL WOMEN PAINTING TOGETHER
Paul Johnstone & Warlayirti Artists are proud to present a Kutjungka women’s survey show, featuring works from senior artists Imelda Yukenbarri Gugaman & Patsy Mudgedell, as well as emerging artists Stephanie Yukenbarri & Serena Nowee. This exhibition showcases the cultural and creative breadth of Balgo women, who stand on the shoulders of giants, and continue to paint to pass on stories & keep Country alive.
23 June 2023, Paul Johnstone Gallery, Darwin
A DOCUMENTARY FILM BY ANKIT MISHRA
In 1957, a helicopter pilot named Jim Ferguson landed at Natawalu. A family approached him, including a 10-year-old boy named Tjungurrayi, who needed medical assistance. He was flown to Balgo Mission. The young boy grew up to become an acclaimed artist whose works are displayed in New York and Paris, as well as a leader of Warlayirti Artists. This documentary film chronicles the reunion between the pilot’s daughter and Helicopter. It has won 4 awards for the Best Documentary, 9 official selections, and 2 finalist nominations.
4 – 6 June 2023, St Kilda Film Festival
DESERT COOL
The exhibition includes powerful new works from senior artists such as Helicopter Tjungurrayi, Jimmy Tchooga, Imelda Guguman and Pauline Sunfly. It also features rising talents of emerging stars, such as Stephanie Yukenbarri, and works inspired by time spent on country by Miriam Baadjo, Sadie Paddoon and Vincent Nanala.
17 March – 13 April 2023, Short St Gallery, Broome
REVEALED: NEW & EMERGING WA ARTISTS
The annual exhibition for new and emerging artists returns to celebrate the creativity, ambition, and diversity of contemporary Aboriginal Art practice here in Western Australia.
The annual Revealed program includes an Art Market, artist talks and demonstrations, workshops and a special opening weekend celebration.
6 May – 23 July 2023, Fremantle Arts Centre
The Jury Art Prize
An art award showcasing the best of regional and remote West Australian artists. We are proud to share works by Stephanie Yukenbarri, Helicopter Tjungurrayi and Veronica Daniels were selected finalists of this years’ main award.
20 May – 29 July 2023, The Courthouse Gallery, Port Hedland
2022
SINGING MY PARENTS’ COUNTRY: NEW PAINTINGS BY PAULINE SUNFLY
27 September – 5 November 2022, Cavin-Morris Gallery, New York
BALGO ON THE STOCK ROUTE: RECENT WORKS
Recent work from Warlayirti Artists, featuring stories from the Canning Stock Route.
13 – 30 October 2022, Art Mob, Hobart
BALGO: VISIONS | EUBENA
BALGO: VISIONS / EUBENA is an exhibition of foundational artworks celebrating the thirty-fifth anniversary of Warlayirti Artists, Balgo. Divided into two distinct collections, but intended to flow as a complementary representation of one of Australia’s leading artistic movements, this exhibition will feature across the two gallery spaces at D’Lan Contemporary, 40 Exhibition Street, Melbourne.
26 August – 7 October 2022, D’Lan Contemporary, Melbourne
Desert Mob
Desert Mob, showcases the most comprehensive survey of contemporary Aboriginal art by artists from Desart-member art centres from the desert regions and communities of the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia. The exhibition will feature hundreds of new, innovative artworks from emerging and established artists who continue to transform and revolutionise arts and cultural expression.
8 September – 23 October 2022, Araluen Arts Centre
JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY: Paintings by the Mudgedell family
This exhibition celebrates the stories, journeys and culture of the Mudgedell family. Sisters Marie and Patsy are highly influenced by their late mother Mati who experimented with new painting techniques to depict her Kukatja/Ngarti Country. Likewise, no two paintings by Patsy are the same; always evolving and experimenting. Marie’s granddaughter (Bianca) and Patsy and Marie’s niece (Hayley) are proudly included in this exhibition depicting their own approach to culture and country.
5 – 21 August 2022, Paul Johnstone Gallery
LUURNPA (Kingfisher Dreaming): New works from the artists of Balgo, WA
Works by Balgo legends, Helicopter and Christine Yunkenbarri sit alongside current senior artists, Imelda Gugaman, Patsy Mudgedell, Pauline Sunfly, as well as the younger emerging artists who will keep this richly-storied art centre at the forefront of contemporary Aboriginal art.
Luurnpa (pronounced loon-pa) is the kingfisher dreaming which connects all of the eight different language groups of the region. During the dreamtime the Luurnpa travelled the land creating all the waterways and rock holes along the Wirrimanu songline – the site of the current Balgo community. Luurnpa travelled from the north all the way through the desert to Uluru.
11 June 2022, Aboriginal Contemporary, Sydney
The Jury Prize
The art prize is open to regional Western Australian artists working in all artistic mediums, including painting, mixed media, photography, sculpture, and digital art.
Warlayirti Artists finalists; Veronica Daniels | Vincent Nanala | Frances Nowee | Geraldine Nowee | Shirley Yoomarie
21 May – 29 July 2022, The Courthouse Gallery, Port Hedland
Revealed 2022: new & emerging WA Aboriginal artists
The Revealed Exhibition returns in 2022, celebrating the creativity, ambition, and diversity of contemporary Aboriginal Art practice here in Western Australia. Dedicated to showcasing new work and the best emerging WA Aboriginal Artists working across remote, regional and metropolitan areas.
This year Balgo artists include paintings on plywood from Serena Nowee | Shannon Gibson | Rickisha Nannup & Lydia Mudji | Gina Sunfly | Alexandria Loomoo | Judith Loomoo | Alicia Maggie | Latoya Moody | Genevieve James
7 May – 24 July 2022, Fremantle Arts Centre
Mother & Daughter: the works of Bai Bai Napangarti and Pauline Sunfly
The last of Bai Bai’s paintings alongside recent works by Pauline, painting her mother’s Country.
29 April 2022, Short St Gallery, Broome
Patsy Mudgedell: Lore of Love
Patsy describes this body of work as “Flowing sequences of continuous learning, sharing a love the human has yearned for, to have happiness together with the reality of real love”. Through her art, Patsy invites the viewer to go on a journey, to create their own meaning and experiences of her art. She hopes this practice will create a sense of our shared humanity. A virtual exhibition will be live from Feb 17 – March 3.
17 – 20 February 2022, Melbourne Art Fair
2021
Earth is Touch: Recent Paintings from Balgo Hills
Warlayirti Artists first show in New York City!
28 October – 31 December, Cavin-Morris Gallery, New York City
Balgo Beginnings
After lying forgotten in a shipping container for four decades, the earliest works of Balgo desert paintings go on display for the first time, alongside works from current Balgo artists.
15 October 2021 – 6 February 2022, South Australian Museum, Adelaide
Pauline Sunfly Nangala: recent works
Pauline Sunfly paints her parents’ Country, her ancestral places south of her home at Balgo (Wirrimanu), which borders both the Tanami Desert and the Great Sandy Desert in northern Western Australia. Her striking paintings depict ancestral paths, ceremonial designs and the stories of important Tjukurrpa sites associated with the native cat, goanna and kingfisher. They are reimaginings of deep cultural knowledge painted with a unique contemporary expression.
6 – 28 August 2021, Paul Johnstone Gallery, Darwin
Awakening: Patsy Mudgedell
‘Awakening’ by Patsy Mudgedell explores themes of identity, cultural acceptance, self-discovery and beauty. Patsy’s intoxicating works invite the viewer to make their own interpretations. Patsy says that art is a collaborative partnership between artist, viewer, Country, paint, canvas. Her purpose is sharing, believing that art transcends cultures.
6-28 August 2021, Paul Johnstone Gallery, Darwin
Revealed 2021: new & emerging WA Aboriginal artists
This year Balgo artists include works on paper from Miriam Baadjo | Jane Gimme | Gracie Mosquito | Marie Mudgedell | Helen Nagomara | Joan (Eva) Nagomara | Winifred Nanala | Helicopter (Joey) Tjungurrayi
26 March – 23 May 2021, Fremantle Arts Centre
Kutjarra Nungurrayi, Murnta Nakamarra: two Nungurrayi, four Nakamarra
A homage to the late Kimberley artists Nyumi Nungarrayi & Loomoo Nungarrayi displayed alongside the four Nakamarra’s: Veronica Daniels, Christine Yukenbarri, Patsy and Marie Mudgedell.
26 March – 22 April 2021, Short St Gallery, Broome
Ngurra kutjuwarra: on country, together
View the works online and read more about the exhibition at the ngurra gallery page of our website!
12 March – 5 April 2021, Kidogo Arthouse, Fremantle