Opening on Thursday 22nd March, artists from the Alice Springs Correctional Centre return to the Department of Tourism and Culture’s Araluen Arts Centre, with a new body of work dedicated to one of Central Australia’s most culturally enmeshed, iconic and quintessential animals, the dog!

“We are very pleased to have the Batchelor Institute visual arts students from the Alice Springs Correctional Centre return to the Araluen galleries with a new exhibition of sculptural works,” Director of the Department of Tourism and Culture’s Araluen Cultural Precinct, Dr Mark Crees said.

“We’ve been working with these artists for many years as part of our Annual Desert Mob exhibition and artwork made by artists at the Alice Springs Correctional Centre is renowned for being innovative, quirky and incredibly engaging. We are excited to welcome them back.”

In 2017, those undertaking visual arts studies with the Batchelor Institute at the Alice Springs Correctional Centre were invited by Araluen to hold their first solo group exhibition in the Araluen Galleries, entitled Tjulpu Thipe! (birds).

“Last year the Araluen gallery was filled with over one hundred sculptural works, the biggest group of their works ever assembled. The show was a knockout success, with almost all of the works selling,” Dr Crees said.

“Big Mob of Dogs! comprises a similarly large group of works. The sculptures are incredibly idiosyncratic, full of character and humour, articulating the ranging of dog behaviour and personality, and our human relationships and interactions with them.”

“The range of materials available to the artists at the Alice Springs Correctional Centre is limited to inexpensive, recycled and repurposed materials. This limitation on materials is counterbalanced and in some ways responsible for the breathtaking creative freedom and innovation in their use.”

“Big Mob of Dogs! once again sees a large selection of artworks made during a time of incarceration imbued with joy, playfulness and acute observation,” Dr Crees said.

Big Mob of Dogs! will be officially opened on Thursday 22 March at 6.00pm and runs until May 7.

Media interview
Araluen Cultural Precinct Director, Dr Mark Crees 08 8951 1126
Visual Arts Lecturer, Prisoner Education, Alice Springs Correctional Centre, Sue McDonnell 0407 396 912