Balgo Horizons | Stories and Places Across Time
1 – 22 February 2025
Art Leven – 17 Thurlow St, Redfern, Gadigal, NSW 2016

Balgo art is known for its bold colours, dynamic styles, and deep cultural connections. Early works depicted ceremonial iconography and Tjukurrpa (Dreaming) stories, visually linking artists to Country. Over time, Balgo artists have moved between abstraction and tradition, creating a diverse and evolving visual language.

Balgo Horizons presents contemporary works from Warlayirti Artists alongside early pieces from private collections, revealing a continuity where past and present merge.

“The Tjukurrpa is not an enduring edifice, however much it is presented as such. It persists because it changes, or because it has always helped desert people make sense of change.” (John Carty; Balgo: Creating Country, UWA Publishing. p. 361)

Balgo paintings are more than depictions of Country—they are Country. This exhibition celebrates an ever-evolving artistic tradition that honours both ancestry and innovation.

For more info visit, Art Leven website

Tiny and Precious
19 February – 19 March 2025
Agency Gallery, Melbourne, Naarm

Showcasing Balgo artists, Vincent Nanala, Matthew West & Jimmy Tchooga Snr

Tiny and Precious is Agency’s inaugural exhibition for 2025, highlighting the intricate and intimate works of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists. The exhibition features a diverse range of mediums, including painting, sculpture, and textiles, each piece reflecting the artists’ unique perspectives and cultural narratives. This showcase offers an opportunity to engage with the depth and richness of First Nations art, emphasising the significance of small-scale works in conveying profound stories and connections to Country.

For more information, visit Agency’s website.

Revealed: New and Emerging WA Aboriginal Artists
12 April – 15 June 2025
PICA – 51 James St, Perth WA 6000

Featuring Balgo’s newest stars – James Nanala & Melissa Sunfly

Celebrating its 17th year, Revealed showcases the diversity and vibrancy of Aboriginal artistic practice in Western Australia. Curated by Whadjuk, Ballardong, and Wilman Noongar artist Zali Morgan, the exhibition features works by emerging Aboriginal artists from remote and regional art centres, as well as independent artists. Artworks span various media, including painting, printmaking, drawing, sculpture, and weaving. All pieces are available for purchase, directly supporting the artists and their communities. This annual program, led by the Aboriginal Art Centre Hub Western Australia (AACHWA) since 2023, has become a cornerstone event on the national arts calendar.

For more information, visit PICA’s website.

Rising Stars
3 April — 29 April 2025
Outstation Gallery, Darwin

Group Exhibition in association with Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka, Iwantja Arts, Jilamara Arts & Crafts, Maningrida Arts and Culture, Mimili Maku Arts, Tjarlirli Art, Warlayirti Artists, Warmun Art Centre and Yinjaa-Barni Art

Luurn, the Kingfisher | Miriam Baadjo solo
21 June – 26 July 2025
Agency Projects, Wukuṉ Waṉambi Project Space, Melbourne

In partnership with Agency Projects we are excited to announce our upcoming exhibition, Luurn, the Kingfisher –  the first ever solo show by Kukatja artist Miriam Baadjo.

In this dynamic exhibition, Miriam Baadjo’s work centres on the significant Luurnpa Tjukurrpa (Kingfisher Creation Story), which tells of the ancestral Luurnpa guiding Aboriginal people to their Country. This powerful narrative connects many language groups of Wirrimanu (Balgo) and stretches across vast desert landscapes.

Miriam Baadjo will join us for the opening on Saturday 21st June from 12 – 2pm. We invite you to attend this very special event, where you will hear Miriam talk about her incredible work which brings together her ancestral stories, contemporary life, and personal memory.

Exhibition will run until 26th July. For more information visit, Agency Projects website

Art Above the 26th
11 – 18 July 2025
Broome Civic Centre, Broome, WA

Art Above the 26th is an exhibition showcasing new works by established artists residing and working above the 26th parallel. This event explores the unique landscapes, character, heritage, culture, and light of the northern region. The exhibition offers insights into the diverse styles and stories of northern artists, providing a platform to experience the creative spirit of the north. The exhibition will be launched with an entertaining evening of music, mingling, and refreshments at the Broome Civic Centre.

For more information, visit the Broome Civic Centre’s website.

Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair 2025
7–10 August 2025
Darwin Convention Centre, Larrakia Country & Online

Experience the rich diversity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art at the 19th Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF). Featuring over 70 Art Centres and more than 1,500 artists, DAAF offers a unique opportunity to purchase ethically sourced artworks, with 100% of sales supporting artists and their communities. The event includes immersive cultural activities and coincides with the National Indigenous Fashion Awards on 6 August and the Country to Couture runway show on 5 August. Join us in celebrating First Nations art, design, and culture on Larrakia Country and online.

For more information, visit the DAAF website.

Lirrwati to Wilkinkarra: a Nanala family show
16 August – 13 September 2025
cbOne Gallery, Melbourne

This powerful family exhibition traces a journey across Country and generations — from matriarch Ningie Nanala’s birthplace at Lirrwati to the sacred salt lakes of Wilkinkarra. Featuring the final works of Ningie and new paintings by her children Vincent, Dulcie and Winifred Nanala, the show honours the legacy of their father, acclaimed Balgo artist Tjumpo Tjapanangka. Together, the family brings Pintupi and Kukatja stories to life through bold colour, ancestral memory, and deep connection to land. A moving testament to lineage, resilience and renewal, Lirrwati to Wilkinkarra is both a homecoming and a celebration of the enduring power of Balgo art.

For more information, visit the cbOne website.

The Jury Art Prize 2024

18 May – 29 July 2024
The Courthouse Gallery, Port Hedland, Western Australia

The Jury Art Prize 2024 showcases the best of regional and remote West Australian artists. Among the finalists are Warlayirti Artists’ Leah Nanala, who has won the prestigious Kathy Donnelly Award, sponsored by Rio Tinto. This award recognises outstanding talent within the arts community.

The judges praised Leah’s artwork, describing “Lirrwati” as a masterpiece that exudes a gentle, lyrical musicality, unfolding like a symphony that evokes the whispers of the wind and the intricate dance of the botanical realm. This artwork invites viewers on a journey of discovery, revealing new wonders with each contemplative gaze.

Congratulations, Leah! This exhibition celebrates the rich cultural heritage and artistic talent of the Kimberley and Pilbara regions, highlighting the diverse expressions of Aboriginal art.

Patsy Mudgedell Solo
20 September – 12 October 2024
Paul Johnstone Gallery, Darwin, Larrakia Country

Patsy Mudgedell’s solo exhibition at Paul Johnstone Gallery showcased her intricate, dot-painted artworks that reflect her deep connection to Country. Each piece is a delicate, intensely dotted and layered masterpiece, inviting viewers to explore the rich textures and vibrant colours that define her unique style. Mudgedell’s work is always evolving, offering a fresh perspective with each exhibition.

For more information, visit Paul Johnstone Gallery’s website.

Desert Descendants
12 April – 9 May 2024
Short Street Gallery, Broome, WA

Short St Gallery is excited to present Desert Descendants, featuring acclaimed artists Helicopter Tjungurrayi, Christine Yukenbarri, and Stephanie Yukenbarri from Balgo, Western Australia. As family members, their artistic talents reflect a rich cultural heritage and traditional art forms. Helicopter is known for his bold colours and intricate dot painting, while Christine and Stephanie offer innovative aesthetics in their work. Their strong familial bond and collaborative efforts celebrate sacred stories and landscapes, highlighting the importance of preserving Indigenous Australian art.

For more information, visit Short Street Gallery’s website.

Revealed: New and Emerging WA Aboriginal Artists
12 April – 15 June 2024
Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle, WA

Featuring Warlayirti Artists, Maggie Mangagee, Lucinda Gibson & Hayley Mudgedell

Revealed 2024 showcased the vibrant and diverse works of emerging Aboriginal artists from Western Australia. The exhibition featured artworks across various mediums, including painting, printmaking, drawing, sculpture, and weaving. The event provided a platform for artists from remote and regional art centres, as well as independent artists, to present their creations, offering insights into the dynamic and evolving landscape of contemporary Indigenous art. All artworks were available for purchase, directly supporting the artists and their communities.

For more information, visit the Fremantle Arts Centre website.

Imelda & Miriam: Return to Country
21 June – 13 July 2024
Paul Johnstone Gallery, Darwin, Larrakia Country

Born in 1954, Imelda Yukenbarri Gugaman embodies the resilience and cultural richness of the Balgo Art movement. Since 2021, Warlayirti Artists has reconnected Imelda, her stepfather Helicopter Tjungurrayi, and other families to their Country through the Ngurra Kutjuwarra (On Country, Together) program. This initiative has included epic journeys to significant sites like Nyinmi Outstation and Winpurpurla, accessible only by helicopter.

Imelda has emerged as a leader among the next generation of Balgo artists, creating works that resonate with her deep connection to 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 experiences into her vibrant artworks. Through a blend of traditional motifs and technical prowess, her work invites engagement with the rich tapestry of history, experience, and Country, bridging the past and present.

For more information, visit Paul Johnstone Gallery’s website.

Parlkuluya Ninti Tjunin: Balgo Mob Sharing Knowledge
9 July – 3 August 2024
Yaama Ganu Gallery, Sydney, Gadigal Country

Parlkuluya Ninti Tjunin showcased the vibrant artworks of Warlayirti Artists from the Balgo community in Western Australia. The exhibition featured a diverse range of emerging & senior artists, reflecting the rich cultural heritage and contemporary expressions of the Country. This event provided an opportunity to engage with the dynamic art scene of the Kutungka region and supported the artists and their communities.

For more information, visit Yaama Ganu Gallery’s website.

Desert Mob 2023

7 September – 22 October 2023
Araluen Arts Centre, Mparntwe/Alice Springs

Desert Mob 2023 showcased a comprehensive survey of contemporary Aboriginal art from Desart-member art centers across the desert regions of the Northern Territory, South Australia, and Western Australia. The exhibition featured hundreds of new, innovative artworks from both emerging and established artists, reflecting the dynamic and evolving landscape of Indigenous art.

Participating Warlayirti artists included Jane Gimme, Sadie Paddoon, Miriam Baadjo, Angie Tchooga, Stephanie Yukenbarri, Helicopter Tjungurrayi, and Imelda Yukenbarri. Their contributions highlighted the diverse artistic practices and deep connections to Country inherent in their work.

For more information, visit the Desert Mob website.

Wakarninpa Laltu, Tjukurrpa Laltu – Many Paintings, Many Dreamings

From 5 August 2023

Aboriginal Contemporary – 254 Bronte Road, Waverley, NSW 2024

Aboriginal Contemporary is proud to present “Wakarninpa Laltu, Tjukurrpa Laltu,” an exhibition showcasing the rich tapestry of tjurkarrpa (Dreaming) stories from the Balgo region. This collection features works by artists spanning multiple generations, including the internationally acclaimed Helicopter Tjungurrayi, esteemed senior artists Dulcie Nanala and Miriam Baadjo, and emerging talent Stephanie Yukenbarri.

The exhibition celebrates Balgo’s distinctive artistic style, characterised by bold and vibrant expressions that encapsulate the beauty and antiquity of the land. Each piece serves as a testament to the artists’ deep connection to their Country, culture, and heritage.

For more information and to view the catalogue, please visit the Aboriginal Contemporary website.

Dulcie Nanala at the Hadley Art Prize 2023

22 July – 20 August 2023
Hadley’s Orient Hotel, Hobart, Tasmania

Esteemed Balgo artist Dulcie Nanala was a finalist in the 2023 Hadley Art Prize with her compelling painting titled Wilkinkarra, created with acrylic on linen. This annual prize celebrates contemporary Australian art, offering a significant cash award to the winner.

Nanala’s work reflects her deep connection to her ancestral lands and showcases the vibrant cultural narratives of the Balgo region. Her inclusion in this prestigious exhibition highlights her significant contribution to contemporary Indigenous Australian art.

For more information, visit the Hadley Art Prize website.

Kutjuwarrainpala Tutjulu Wakarninpa (All Women Painting Together)

24 June – 14 July 2023

Paul Johnstone Gallery, 2/2 Dune Crescent, Stuart Park, NT 0820

Paul Johnstone Gallery hosted “All Women Painting Together,” an exhibition celebrating the collaborative spirit of female artists from Warlayirti Artists. The showcase featured works by Patsy Mudgedell, Dulcie Nanala, and Miriam Baadjo, among others. These artists, deeply connected to their ancestral lands, presented vibrant artworks that reflect their cultural narratives and personal stories.

The exhibition underscored the significance of community and shared artistic practices within the Warlayirti Artists collective. Each piece served as a testament to the women’s dedication to preserving and innovating upon traditional art forms.

For more information, visit the Paul Johnstone Gallery website.

Helicopter Tjungurrayi: A Documentary Film by Ankit Mishra

4 – 6 June 2023

St Kilda Film Festival, The Astor Theatre, Melbourne, VIC

In 2023, the St Kilda Film Festival featured the premiere of “Helicopter Tjungurrayi,” a documentary directed by Ankit Mishra. The film narrates the 1957 story of helicopter pilot Jim Ferguson, who landed in the isolated area of Natawalu and provided medical assistance to a 10-year-old boy named Tjungurrayi. This boy later became the acclaimed artist known as Helicopter Tjungurrayi, a leader of Warlayirti Artists.

The documentary chronicles the reunion between Helicopter Tjungurrayi and the pilot’s daughter, highlighting the profound impact of this encounter on both their lives. The film has garnered recognition, winning four awards for Best Documentary, nine official selections, and two finalist nominations.

For more information, visit the St Kilda Film Festival website.

Desert Cool: Recent Works from Wirrimanu

17 March – 13 April 2023
Short St Gallery, Broome, Western Australia

Short St Gallery proudly presents “Desert Cool,” showcasing vibrant new works from the Wirrimanu (Balgo) community. Known for its diverse tribal groups from the edge of the Western Desert, Balgo is a multicultural settlement where art plays a vital role in everyday life and cultural connection. Since the 1980s, Balgo artists have emerged as significant figures in the art world, known for their bold desert iconography and striking use of colour.

This exhibition offers insight into the recent inspirations and creations of the artists, featuring powerful new pieces from senior artists such as Helicopter Tjungurrayi, Jimmy Tchooga, Imelda Gugaman, and Pauline Sunfly. It also highlights the rising talents of emerging stars like Stephanie Yukenbarri, who carry forward the artistic legacies of their renowned grandparents. Short St Gallery invites you to experience the works of these nationally and internationally acclaimed artists.

For more information, visit the Short St Gallery website.

Revealed: New and Emerging WA Aboriginal Artists

5 May – 23 July 2023

Fremantle Arts Centre, Fremantle, Western Australia

In 2023, Fremantle Arts Centre hosted “Revealed,” an exhibition celebrating the diversity and talent of contemporary Aboriginal art from Western Australia. The event featured over 100 emerging Aboriginal artists from remote and regional art centres, including Warlayirti Artists from Balgo.

The exhibition showcased a wide array of artworks, including paintings, textiles, photography, and sculpture, reflecting the rich cultural narratives and innovative practices of Aboriginal artists. This annual event provided a platform for new and emerging artists to present their work to a broader audience, fostering appreciation and understanding of Aboriginal art.

Feature artists; Clinton Samson Scobie, Jane Gimme, Leah Nanala, Renita Brown, Rex Cotchilli & Stephanie Yukenbarri

For more information, visit the Fremantle Arts Centre website.

The Jury Prize

20 May – 29 July 2023
The Courthouse Gallery, Port Hedland, Western Australia

The Jury Prize is an art award that showcases the best of regional and remote West Australian artists.

Stephanie Yukenbarri, Helicopter Tjungurrayi, and Veronica Daniels, were selected as finalists for the main award. Their diverse artworks reflect the rich cultural heritage and artistic talent present in Western Australia, highlighting the importance of regional voices in the contemporary art scene.

Recent work from Warlayirti Artists, featuring stories from the Canning Stock Route.

13 – 30 October 2022, Art Mob, Hobart

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, 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

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

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 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

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

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 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

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 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’ 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

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

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

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