ngaratya (together, us group, all in it together)

ngaratya (together, us group, all in it together) is a fresh and vibrant exhibition that brings together six Barkandji/Barkindji artists, Nici Cumpston, Zena Cumpston, David Doyle, Kent Morris, Adrianne Semmens, and Raymond Zada, exploring and illuminating the artists’ homelands and ancestral connections through newly commissioned works. Featuring more than 50 works of art by contemporary First Nations artists and creators, ngaratya is a contemporary capsule of stories, memories, and conversations as shown through sculpture, prints, moving image, photography, writing, and design.

Barkandji curator and photographer Nici Cumpston OAM and her sister, writer, researcher, and storyteller Zena Cumpston have worked together to co-curate, as well as make their own works as part of this collective exhibition. They bring together Barkindji/Malyangapa carver, educator, and poet David Doyle; Barkindji photographer Kent Morris; Barkindji performer, dance maker and educator Adrianne Semmens; and Barkindji multi-media artist and broadcaster Raymond Zada. Sharing their journey and story in curating this exhibition, Nici and Zena Cumpston said: “This exhibition is an exercise in custodial responsibility – we are sharing these stories to introduce people to our country. This is an opportunity to learn about and to celebrate our homelands, so we can together, be a part of the solutions needed to keep people and country healthy.”

The six artists spent time travelling together on country, engaging with cultural landscapes, their elders, community, and each other, resulting in a rich, immersive installation that comes straight from the heart. This exhibition offers a dynamic portal into country and connection. Nici and Zena Cumpston explain: “Being together on our Barkandji/Barkindji country gave each of us precious time to strengthen and build our knowledge, our cultural connection and especially to deepen our relationships with each other and our Barkandji/Barkindji community. Each of the artists has made work that conveys their love and passion for our people, for our ancestors, for our culture, for our country.”

Works in a variety of mediums are presented in this exhibition including carving, bronze casting, weaving, string-making, linocuts, etched acrylic, hand-coloured photographs, photographic installations, moving image, screendance and soundscapes.

The opening night event is at the Broken Hill City Art Gallery on Friday, 3rd of May, from 6 PM to 8:30 PM. The evening will feature artist talks and full bar facilities.

There will be a curator and artist talk at the gallery on Saturday, 4th of May, at 11am.

Visit https://www.ngaratya.com.au/

Image:
Nici Cumpston
Old Mutawintji Gorge I, from the series mirrimpilyi, happy and contented, 2023
pigment inkjet print on Hahnemühle paper, hand coloured with PanPastel, crayon and pencil
44 x 120 cm
Courtesy the artist and Michael Reid Gallery
Photo: Michael Haines