Capturing Country: ‘Art Centres on Screen’

Noreen Parker, Camouflage army truck, acrylic on found metal oil sump, pram wheels, fencing wire, 72 x 34 x 32cm; cinematographer: Devris Hasan; image courtesy Desart

Noreen Parker’s Camouflage army truck with Russell Bryant’s Ngangkari Taraka; cinematographer: Devris Hasan; image courtesy Desart

Russell Bryant, Ngangkari Taraka, acrylic on found metal oil sump, pram wheels, tent poles, 72 x 34 x 33cm; cinematographer: Devris Hasan; image courtesy Desart

Desart is a non-profit organisation supporting the Central Australian Aboriginal art community representing 35 Indigenous-owned community-based art centres. From 1–8 November, Desart is hosting the ‘Art Centres Online’ event featuring the ‘Art Centres on Screen’ film series, followed by the online ‘MarketPlace’ (which takes the place of this traditional showcase as part of the annual Desert Mob festival at Araluen Arts Centre in Alice Springs).  

The program emerged from the successful 2020 Desert Mob symposium which was held online for the first time as a response to the pandemic. In addition to the virtual marketplace and exhibition, the event launched a series of short films made in collaboration with Northern Territory art centres. This year, the initiative was extended to celebrate 14 stories from additional Desart members, including artists from the Minyma Kutjara Arts Project, Papunya Tula Artists’ remote studios and the Uluru Cultural Centre. Filmed on Country, the captivating series highlights the unique stories and influence of culture and community behind a diverse range of contemporary art practices. 

The series includes sisters Norma Bryant and Eva Baker’s accounts of the profound cultural and familial significance of the ‘Two Women’ Dreaming story – a recurring theme in their paintings – while reflecting on their own connection to Country. The films are intended to support the participating art centres and will be featured on their websites and screened at relevant exhibitions.  

Selected shorts are currently screened at the Art Gallery of South Australia’s Tarnanthi festival to complement works from the Minyma Kutjara Arts Project. Following the ‘Art Centres Online’ program, the films will also be presented in Perth at the 2021 Indian Ocean Craft Triennial  in November. The ‘MarketPlace’ offers the opportunity to support Desart members through its online shop, with the profits going directly to the artists and their communities.  

Chin-Jie Melodie Liu, Canberra

Desart’s ‘Art Centres on Screen’ will take place from 1–4 November before the online ‘MarketPlace’ from 5–8 November 2021.