Congratulations to Stanley Ebatarijna, finalist in the 2023 National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards
Stanley Ebatarijna working on his road sign - Kids to be safe, 90 x 90cm, watercolour on repurposed road sign.
We are pleased to announce that Stanley Ebatarinja has been selected as finalist in the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards. Telstra NATSIAA is the longest running Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art awards and richest art awards in the country. This exhibition, held on Larrakia Country and online, celebrates exemplary artistic practice and reflects contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art from across this continent. Stanley’s powerful work ‘Kids to be safe’ on repurposed road sign, speaks about family and safety of young children. Congratulations to all 63 finalists.
ARTWORK HIGHLIGHT
An impressive body of new in wood work is currently on show at Ngununggula, and developed over two years by senior and emerging artists from Mparntwe and Ntaria.
Carved in Mulga and Beanwood by men in Ntaria, these objects reference Namatjira’s early history of artefact making. In the same way that in the 1930s Namatjira engaged other men to cut and shape artefacts on which he then painted, here at Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) artists have worked with men from Ntaria to carve on wooden artefacts on which they then painted their stories.
Boomerangs, shields, spears, and clap sticks are featured, supporting men to collect and make work on their own country.
Artworker Klint Buzzacott is coming up to year working here lltja Ntjarra, supporting the artists, cataloguing works and taking the lead in film and photography projects. This has included editing a series of short training films of senior artists sharing techniques with the next generation of Western Aranda artists.
‘Klint is respectful, reliable and always pitching in to help, especially the senior artists.’
Thanks for all your hard work Klint, it is great having you as part of the team!
Marisa Maher
Over the past decade Assistant Manager Marisa Maher has curated exhibitions, coordinated projects, provided business administration and support to the of artists Iltja Ntjarra. If you saw Marisa at the recent Desart conference you'll know she is a powerful and impressive leader.
Recent projects include curating Belonging | Tjoritjarinja at Ngununggula , co-curating Desert Mob 2022 with Hetti Perkins, undertaking a secondment at the National Aboriginal Art Gallery, consulting on curatorial development as well as work on multiple Tarnanthi since 2017.
Marisa is a highly respected and valued member of the team. Artists appreciate her good attitude, reliability and how she stands strong for the art centre and her community. Thanks to Desart for all the support provided to Marisa over the last decade.
IN OTHER NEWS...
Kathleen France with her painting on Desert Fruit Company box.
The Desert Fruit Company recently launched their 2023 season date box design, featuring the artwork of Iltja Ntjarra artists Kathleen France. Kathleen’s artwork 'Collecting dates at Ntaria', remembers her childhood eating dates at Ntaria. . Dates were the first non-native fruit planted by early missionaries.
Iltja Ntjarra art centre is proudly supported by, and members of:
