500KM from Alice Springs

“We want to introduce the beautiful landscape of the Northern Territory to people in urban environments. At the same time, we want to raise awareness about the issues we are facing. We feel that there is a lack of consultation with traditional owners. If the authorities listened to us then they would support us with housing issues for example, rather than investing in mining on our Country, which we strongly object to. The works we present at the 22nd Biennale of Sydney are to let people know about our Country and our lives.” – Mervyn Rubuntja, senior artist at Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre.

Fourteen artists from Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands Art Centre are being shown across multiple venues for the 22nd Biennale of Sydney, tracing stories of Country as well as struggles with housing and displacement. Beautiful landscapes have been painted onto ‘dollar shop’ bags, a potent material symbol of life on the move. These works explore the enduring connection to Country, as well as continued cycles of dispossession, while powerfully asserting messages of self-determination to the many who have no connection or understanding of these urgent messages.

Participating artists (multi-venue project): Kathleen France, Noreen Hudson, Reinhold Inkamala, Clara Inkamala, Dellina Inkamala, Kathy Inkamala, Vanessa Inkamala, Janie Karpa, Gloria Pannka, Hubert Pareroultja, Ivy Pareroultja, Mervyn Rubuntja, Hillary Wirri.