Art Gallery of South Australia

A storytelling place

Everyone is welcome at Tarnanthi, the multifaceted celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.

“In many Australian museums, you will experience Aboriginal art in expected ways,” says Dr Lisa Slade, assistant director of artistic programs at the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA), referring to the traditional dot paintings, painted bark, wooden sculptures and X-ray figures commonly seen at Indigenous art shows and lining the wings of galleries. Not so at Tarnanthi, the annual celebration of new Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. “You might walk into a gallery that has a moving image or a sculptural installation or all manner of art practices. Clichés about Aboriginal art forms are pretty quickly exploded,” says Slade.

Tarnanthi is many things. It is a platform for artists to share stories and ideas, old and new. It is an inspiring education about the evolution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. And it is also a word used by the Kaurna people, the traditional owners of the Adelaide Plains, which means “to appear at the first light of day”, signifying new beginnings.

Kicking off in Adelaide in October and running until January 2020, Tarnanthi involves multiple venues and events across the city, including the buzzy Tarnanthi Art Fair (18 to 20 October), where collectors and enthusiasts can meet artists and buy works directly.

During Tarnanthi, the AGSA will host works and events across many mediums, including a magnificent exhibition by Yolngu artists from Arnhem Land, communicating their ideas about

Gurrutu, an expression for our place in the world.

Encouraging conversation about what Indigenous art looks like today and challenging stereotypes is a key part of the festival. “It’s not about saying, ‘Okay, this is in our collection – let’s plonk it on the wall’,’’ says Slade. “It’s about listening really closely to artists and communities, where we can work in language and bring the artist into the space.”

Tarnanthi is a meeting place and a conduit for discussion. “Art has cutthrough,” she adds. “We believe it plays a really important role in helping us navigate who we are politically, socially and personally – that’s our philosophy at the AGSA and Tarnanthi.”

As part of the program, visitors can flex their curiosity, take part in inspiring talks and workshops, watch a performance and be enthralled by the beauty of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture. “What we know now is that, like all contemporary art in Australia, there are no limits,” says Slade. “That brand-new-day aspect of Aboriginal art and culture means innovation is entwined with tradition.”

Tarnanthi, which runs 18 October to 27 January 2020, is presented in partnership with BHP and with support from the government of South Australia. Visit agsa.sa.gov.au.