Artback NT, in association with Maruku Arts and the Department of Tourism and Culture’s Araluen Arts Centre, presents Punuku Tjukurpa.

“After an extensive national tour, Punuku Tjukurpa rightfully ends with a ‘homecoming’ exhibition at the Araluen Arts Centre,” Senior Director of the Department of Tourism and Culture’s Araluen Cultural Precinct, Dr Mark Crees said.

“Punuku Tjukurpa offers a privileged insight into one of Australia’s finest art movements and is an exhibition of national significance.”

“These incredible artworks drawn from the rich Tjukurpa of Anangu culture with such deep connection to country will be displayed in the Araluen Galleries is such a fitting way to conclude what has been such a wonderful year of celebration of Aboriginal art from Central Australia at Araluen.”

The exhibition celebrates the stories and Law of Anangu culture through intricate wood carvings and artefacts and is an exhibition showcasing a rich, sacred history.

Punuku Tjukurpa includes 88 punu objects, alongside sculptural works, 2D pieces and specially produced audio and video footage.

Pieces in Punuku Tjukurpa include works made by three generations of artists for whom the tradition of wood carving and painting has been passed down. Artists have shared the teaching of stories that inform the intricate designs and markings incorporated in the objects.

Maruku Arts artist Niningka Lewis explained in language that “It is good that our carvings should go out to the world for all to see. This is a good thing. People can see and understand how things are made and that we have a lot of memories [in our collection].”

Accompanying the exhibition is a bespoke mobile app to provide a deeper engagement with the diverse works featured in Punuku Tjukurpa. An inclusive and dynamic way to introduce visitors to a very special exhibition, the app allows for more detailed interaction through audio descriptions of selected objects, a walking tour and educational activities. The Punuku Tjukurpa app reveals the creative role a modern technology can play in showcasing an exhibition that’s centred on traditional artwork, stories, techniques and processes.

Selected artworks in Punuku Tjukurpa have been audio described for visitors with visual impairment. Delivered via MP3 players at the venue, these audio descriptions assist in increasing access to the arts and enable those with an impairment to still be immersed in the exhibition.

Punuku Tjukurpa will be officially opened by Maruku Arts’ Anangu Directors and senior artists, with an evening of inma and stories on Friday 9 November at 6pm. On Saturday 10 November at 11am, the exhibition curator, former Maruku Arts Director Stephen Fox, will deliver a floor talk discussing the exhibition, key works and the 35 year history of Maruku Arts.

The opening weekend also features a number of associated workshops, with artists from the Pitjantjatjara Lands who are based at Mutitjulu. These workshops are being held at Central Craft on the Araluen Cultural Precinct.

Punuku Tjukurpa is the first touring exhibition of artwork from Maruku Arts, based at Mutitjulu, near Uluru in the Northern Territory, and has been developed by Artback NT.

Media interview
Araluen Cultural Precinct, Senior Director, Dr Mark Crees, 08 8951 1126
Artback NT Visual Arts Touring Program Manager, Neridah Stockley, 08 8953 5941