upcoming events & exhibitions
DARWIN ART FAIR 2023
11 August -13 August
At Darwin Convention Centre, and Online!
Darwin Art Fair offers a unique opportunity to purchase artwork direct from over 70 Indigenous-owned Art Centers, whilst being immersed in an exciting program of workshops, artists talks, film, fashion, and more.
DESERT MOB 2023
7 September – 22 October
At Araluen Arts Centre, Mparntwe (Alice Springs)
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.
HADLEY’S ART PRIZE 2023
22 July – 20 August
At Hadley’s Orient Hotel in Hobart
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.
A DOCUMENTARY FILM BY ANKIT MISHRA
Showing at St Kilda Film Festival
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. Never having laid eyes on a helicopter before, 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.
THE JURY ART PRIZE 2023
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’ prize.
Visit the virtual exhibition here
THE KIMBERLEY ART PRIZE 2023
The Kimberley Art Prize has been facilitated by the Shire of Derby/West Kimberley (SDWK) since 1970. It is one of the longest running art prizes in Western Australia, providing a platform for local and regional artists to showcase their talents.
Warlayirti Artists participants for this year are Jimmy Tchooga, Reggie Gordon and Stephanie Yukenbarri.
DESERT COOL
17 March – 13 April 2023
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.
REVEALED 2023
06 May – 23 July 2023
The 2023 Revealed Exhibition for new and emerging WA Aboriginal Artists, returns to celebrate the creativity, ambition, and diversity of contemporary Aboriginal Art practice here in Western Australia.
The annual Revealed program – encompassing this exhibition as well as an Art Market (returning in-person for 2023!), artist talks and demonstrations, workshops and a special opening weekend celebration.
past events & exhibitions
SUMMER CLOSURE!
02 December 2022 – 30 January 2023
The art centre will be closed during the months of December 2022 and January 2023. If you wish to purchase from our website in 2022 please ensure your order is placed before 28th November. Orders placed after 28th November will be processed and sent when the art centre re-opens in early February 2023. Thank you for your patience and understanding!
SINGING MY PARENTS’ COUNTRY: NEW PAINTINGS BY PAULINE SUNFLY
27 September – 05 November 2022
BALGO ON THE STOCK ROUTE:
RECENT WORKS
13-30 October 2022
Recent work from Warlayirti Artists, featuring stories from the Canning Stock Route.
TARNANTHI ART FESTIVAL
October 2022
Adelaide, South Australia
Tarnanthi is a unique opportunity to meet Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, learn about their world and ideas, and buy works of art. Exclusive to Adelaide, this popular art event brings together creative works in diverse mediums, produced by hundreds of established and emerging, regional and city-based artists from across the country.
BALGO: VISIONS | EUBENA
26 August – 07 October 2022
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.
Desert Mob 2022
8 September–23 October 2022
Araluen Arts Centre, Mparntwe (Alice Springs)
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.
You will find us at the Desert Mob Marketplace on September 10 at Araluen Arts Centre!
WE’RE ON COUNTRY!
11 – 18 August 2022
Ngurra Kutjuwarra means “On Country together!”
People came to the Balgo Mission from all corners of the desert, which means artists painting today are not living on their Ancestral land. We embark on ambitious return to Country camps to strengthen kinship ties, ensure the intergenerational transfer of knowledge and to strengthen the social, emotional and spiritual wellbeing of the Kutjungka community.
Art Centre will be open 9am – 2pm Mon-Fri, no weekend appointments.
All online enquires and sales will be processed when we’re back.
DARWIN ABORIGINAL ART FAIR
5 – 7 August 2022
The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) online, provides a unique opportunity to purchase artwork direct from over 70 Indigenous-owned Art Centres, whilst being immersed in an exciting digital program of workshops, artists talks, film and fashion.
Journey of Discovery
paintings by the Mudgedell family
5 – 21 August 2022
Paul Johnstone Gallery, Darwin
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.
Luurnpa (Kingfisher Dreaming)
a new exhibition of works from the artists of Balgo, WA
Opening 11 June 2022
Aboriginal Contemporary, Sydney
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.
The Jury Prize
21 May – 29 July 2022
The Courthouse Gallery, Port Hedland
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
Winners announced 21 May
People’s Choice (Jury Prize) winner announced 29 July, VOTE HERE!
Revealed 2022: new & emerging WA Aboriginal artists
07 May–24 July 2022 Exhibition
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
Revealed Online Market runs 27 – 29 May 2022. Register for early access here.
Mother & Daughter: the works of Bai Bai Napangarti and Pauline Sunfly
29 April 2022
The last of Bai Bai’s paintings alongside recent works by Pauline, painting her mother’s Country.
Patsy Mudgedell: Lore of Love
17–20 Feb, 2022
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.
Earth is Touch:
Recent Paintings from Balgo Hills
28 October – 31 December 2021
Cavin Morris Gallery, New York City
Warlayirti artists first show in New York City!
Balgo Beginnings
15 Oct 2021–06 Feb, 2022
South Australia Museum, Adelaide
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.
Pauline Sunfly Nangala: recent works
6-28 August 2021
Paul Johnstone Gallery, Darwin
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.
Awakening: Patsy Mudgedell
6-28 August 2021
Paul Johnstone Gallery, Darwin
‘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.
Revealed 2021: new & emerging WA Aboriginal artists
26 March–23 May, 2021
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
Kutjarra Nungurrayi, Murnta Nakamarra: two Nungurrayi, four Nakamarra
26 March–22 April, 2021
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.
Ngurra kutjuwarra: on country, together
12 March–5 April, 2021
In conjunction with Kidogo Arthouse Fremantle. View the works online and read more about the exhibition at the ngurra gallery page of our website!