Depictions of sand dunes, salt lakes, tree bark, sandstorms, honey ants and vital waterholes are among the themes explored in Ilkaṟi Lipi – Big Sky, a title chosen by the artists of Pukatja (Ernabella) in the Musgrave Ranges of far north-west South Australia.
The title reflects the idea of people living and working together beneath one vast sky, as the artists explain:
“Under the big sky there are many stories. The sky isn’t a backdrop but an active presence, shaping movement, memory and time.”
Pukatja is home to Ernabella Arts, Australia’s longest continuously operating Indigenous art centre, established in 1948. Artists working through the centre have earned national and international recognition for excellence across multiple art forms, including painting and ceramics produced in the community’s fully equipped ceramics studio.
The artists from Ernabella are making the long journey from their homeland of Pukatja, in South Australia for the exhibition opening weekend.
