We don’t need a map: A Martu experience of the Western desert
5 December – 15 February 2015
We don’t need a map, showcases the traditional culture and knowledge of the Martu people from the Western Australian Desert, including a variety of media such as paintings, digital animation, immersive videos installations, cutting edge new media collaborations of artists from across Australia, Martu objects and photographic portraits. Developed over nearly three years, this exhibition was the result of a number of unique collaborations between Martu and other artists, and provides a unique insight into their significant, enduring and contemporary culture. It originally opened at Fremantle Arts centre on 16 November 2012.
The Martu are the traditional owners of a vast area of the Western Desert and live today in the remote communities of Jigalong, Parnngurr, Punmu, Kunawarritji, Irrungadji and in the town of Newman, in Western Australia’s Pilbara region. Martu artists have gained international recognition in recent years for their painting practices and their artworks are held in national collections.
The Blue Mountains Cultural Centre is delighted to present this powerful exhibition featuring a diverse public program including artist and curatorial talks, free exhibition tours every Saturday, bush tucker food demonstrations, film screenings and basket weaving workshops.
A Fremantle Arts Centre touring exhibition.
Co-curated by Erin Coates; FAC Exhibitions Coordinator, Kathleen Sorensen; Martu artist and Cultural Consultant and Community Liaison Officer and Gabrielle Sullivan; Martumili Artists Manager, Shire of East Pilbara.
The exhibition is the result of a partnership between Fremantle Arts Centre (Perth), Martumili Artists (Newman) and the Martu land management organisation Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa (Newman), with principal support from BHP Billiton, The Department of Culture and the Arts (WA), The City of Fremantle, The Shire of East Pilbara and Martu People Limited.
For more information on this exhibition, visit the official We Don’t Need a Map exhibition website
Image: GABRIELLE SULLIVAN marra! (catch it) (2010) (detail), featuring kumpayagigirba and ngamaru bidu, photograph.
