Friends and Family

Sally M Nangala Mulda and Marlene Rubuntja with their works, 2023; Courtesy of ACMI, Artbank, Tangentyere Artists and Yarrenyty Arltere Artists; photo: Bec Capp.

Sally and Marlene

Sally M. Nangala Mulda and Marlene Rubuntja are friends for life. They met as young girls and reconnected in their 60s. Despite spending decades apart their friendship remains as strong as ever.

What makes a good friend? Imagine you and your friends 50 years from now, what are you like and what are you doing?

Find out more about Sally M. Nangala Mulda and Marlene Rubuntja.

Judith Pungarta Inkamala, Western Aranda people, Northern Territory, born Ntaria (Hermannsburg), Northern Territory 1947, Urlpaatja, 2023, terracotta,underglaze, 18.0 x 9.0 cm and Baby with Mother, 2022, terracotta, underglaze, 45.0 x 34.0 cm; photo: Bec Capp.

Judith Pungarta Inkamala

After school I would go with my friend Jillian Namatjira to watch all the artist’s paint. Her grandfather was Albert Namatjira. We would watch them work.

Surrounded by friends and family Judith Pungarta Inkamala has been building pots since 1993. Her works are decorated with memories and stories from her life. Inkamala especially loves singing in the community choir. Identify some of the artist’s other hobbies or interests by studying the images on the pots. What hobbies do you share with your friends?

Find out more about Judith Pungarta Inkamala.

Roxanne Petrick, Rhonda Sharpe, Marlene Rubuntja, Grace Robinya and Dulcie Sharpe with their work in Mparntwe (Alice Springs), Northern Territory, 2023; Courtesy of Tangentyere and Yarrenyty Arltere Artists; photo: Ellanor Webb.

Tangentyere Artists and Yarenyty Arltere Artists

Tangentyere and Yarenyty Altere are neighbouring Art Centres in Mparntwe (Alice Springs). Art Centres are places to bring community together and keep culture strong. Tangentyere and Yarenyty Altere artists find great joy in sharing their skills and collaborating on artistic projects.

Create a hybrid creature inspired by a two species you are familiar with. Combine structural or distinctive elements, such as wings from one and legs from another. you might also consider colour, pattern, size or texture. Does your creature shuffle, hop, fly? Does it live above or below ground, in trees or in the sea.

Vincent Namatjira

Look at all of Vincent Namatjira’s paintings in the exhibition. Can you identify some of the people he has painted? How many paintings can you find where Vincent has painted his great grandfather, Albert Namatjria?

Create your own drawing, bringing together three people who are heroes in your eyes. It might be someone in your family or community combined with a famous sports person, performer or musician.

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