NINUKU PROJECTS

The Aralya Project was an intensive remote indigenous artist painting camp originally planned for 14 days in September, 2016 and was finally completed between 19-28th of September, 2018 under new art centre manager, Mandi King. A few important changes were made to the structure and scope of the original project to preserve its focus as an intergenerational reconnection to Country for Ninuku indigenous artists through traditional practices and collaborative painting while ensuring high, museum-quality work. Notable changes to the execution of the project include postponing collaborations with APY land management around mapping Tjakura (Great Desert Skink) movement on the Aralya homelands and the removal of children’s IPAD drawing component and the camp was shortened to seven days and studio-based workshops in colour mixing, drawing, and storytelling were added to prepare artists for the undertaking. An additional outside studio staff member was hired to help prepare materials and support artists working on the ground.

Walka Waru Kalawtjanga’s aim is to provide much needed new creative pathways to both capture the imaginations of young artists wishing to explore non-traditional mediums outside of canvas as well as providing easier, more practical and portable processes for older painters suffering failing stamina and eyesight, and therefore unable to tackle large canvases as they once were able to.