The South Australia-wide Tarnanthi Festival was the starting point for a set of five extraordinary exhibitions at JamFactory between now and January 2024.

Acclaimed across Australia, the Tarnanthi Festival showcases the latest contemporary works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across the country. For this important festival, JamFactory will present five extraordinary exhibitions from artists and arts centres across Australia including Ernabella Arts, James Tylor, Walka Waltja Nganampa, Sonya Rankine: Spaces Between and Layers of Blak. Moreover, unlimited by its own immediate space, JamFactory will exhibit in both its Adelaide and Barossa sites as well as the historic Phone Booths at Adelaide Railway Station.

Ernabella Arts: Ceramic Warka Wiṟu 20 Years-kutu (20 Years of Creating Ceramics)

JamFactory and Ernabella Arts present Ernabella Arts: Ceramic Warka Wiru 20 Years-kutu (20 Years of Creating Ceramics), a major exhibition and publication recognising the skill and creativity of the talented artists of Ernabella Arts.

Bringing together a mix of ceramics, see works exhibited from Jayanna Andy, Alison Milyika Carroll, Elizabeth Dunn, Rupert Jack, Langaliki Lewis, Lynette Lewis, Melissa Lewis, Nicole Rupert, Inawinytji Stanley, Janice Stanley, Renita Stanley, Tjunkaya Tapaya OAM, Anne Nginyangka Thompson, Carlene Thompson, Derek Jungarrayi Thompson, Marissa Angapiya Thompson, Kunmanara Tjilya, Fiona Wells, Tjimpuna Williams.

Until 3 December, Gallery 2

James Tylor: Mudlirna

Multi-disciplinary Kaurna artist James Tylor presents Mudlirna, a solo exhibition showcasing carved Kaurna objects and photography. The exhibition celebrates the contemporary revival of historical Kaurna cultural art and design. 

Until 3 December, Gallery 2

Walka Waltja Nganampa: These are our own designs

This exhibition showcases ceramics and textiles that serve to strengthen Anangu artists’ connection to their homelands. Through a series of workshops at the Iwiri Wellbeing Centre in Port Adelaide, senior Anangu cultural leaders have shared their inspiring stories rooted in homelands, culture and language with emerging Anangu artists. The exhibited works beautifully capture and convey these stories through intricate walka (marks) adorning textiles and ceramics. By looking back at the artistic practices and craft movements of the APY Lands while also embracing new techniques such as block prints with traditional Tjukurpa narratives, the artists honour their heritage while pushing the boundaries of their art. The project is a creative collaboration between Iwiri and Ku Arts.

Exhibiting artists: Milpati (Barbara) Baker; Audrey Brumby; Carolyn Dunn; Janice Ferguson; Tjunkaya Ken; Imuna Kenta; Daisybell Kulyuru; Vera Raymond; Inawinytji Stanley; Janice Stanley; Renita Stanley; Melissa Thompson; Tjinkuma Wells; Tjimpuna Williams and Lena Young.

Until 3 December 2023, in Collect.

Sonya Rankine: Spaces Between

For this exhibition, Yorke Peninsula-based Sonya Rankine will create an installation of woven artworks and pendant lighting made with natural materials, whereby interactions of light and dark coalesce as intricate shadows. The work is shown in the Historical Phone Booths at the Adelaide Railway Station.

Until 23 January 2024, Adelaide Railway Station phone booths

Layers of Blak

Bringing beauty to an ugly and brutal history, 11 Victorian First Nations Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and designers, have wrestled with colonial history to present their stories. Layered with meanings signalling healing, resilience, collaboration and empowerment, Layers of Blak is an exhibition of powerful storytelling through exquisite contemporary jewellery.  

Exhibiting artists include Thelma Austin (Gunditjmara); Mandi Barton (Yorta Yorta/Barapa Barapa/Wemba Wemba); Lorraine Brigdale (Yorta Yorta); Nikki Browne (Bidjara); Deanne Gilson (Wadawurrung); Tammy Gilson (Wadawurrung); Elijah Money (Wiradjuri); Yasmin Silveira (Palawa); Sammy Trist (Taungurung); Dominic White (Palawa) and Tracy Wise (Barkindji Ngiyampaa Maligundidj). 

Layers of Blak is presented in partnership with Tarnanthi Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Art. Until 26 November 2023 at JamFactory, Seppeltsfield in the Barossa Valley (an hour northeast of Adelaide).

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More information Tarnanthi 2023 here

Tarnanthi Festival and Art Fair

As the centre of the festival, AGSA presents a nationwide survey that promises ambitious and innovative contemporary art combined with deep reflection on unwavering cultural connections.

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