Contemporary artist, Emma Stuart, will launch her first solo exhibition, at the Araluen Art Centre on Friday 1 April.

Director of the Araluen Cultural Precinct, Dr Mark Crees, is delighted to present Hidden Arrernte which showcases the natural beauty of the landscape around Alice Springs and the artistic response to place.

“Artists have been responding to the natural environment of Central Australia for tens of thousands of years and we are excited to present this contemporary artist and her response in Hidden Arrernte,” he said.

“Emma Stuart represents the landscape, light and environment of Central Australia in new and contemplative ways,” he said. 

In Hidden Arrernte, Stuart captures the silent beauty ‘hidden’ in tributaries and riverbed banks, clay pans and sites such as Honeymoon, Emily and Simpsons Gaps.

“The development of work in Hidden Arrernte parallels Stuart’s own increasing and evolving connection with Arrernte country and its trees, her art a testament to a powerful visual and visceral connection with the trees and their landscape,” Dr Crees said.

The Hidden Arrernte exhibition is a continuation of Stuart’s exploration of the solitary life of the tree, seeing them as living beings, symbols of strength and faith and anchors of sorts, holding both earth and air in their roots and branches.

The exhibition will officially be opened by Jacob Hoerner, Director of Jacob Galleries, Victoria, on Friday 1 April in the Sitzler Gallery at the Araluen Arts Centre.

The exhibition will run until Sunday 8 May. Visitors are also encouraged to join Emma Stuart on Saturday 7 May at 11.30am as she delivers an artist floor talk about her work.

Media Contact: Jordan Raymond-Monro 8999 4726