Araluen Arts Centre 2019 exhibition program opens with Weapons for the Soldier from the APY Lands

The Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture’s Araluen Arts Centre proudly announces its first exhibition of the 2019 program, the powerful and thought-provoking Weapons for the soldier: protecting Country, Culture and Family.

“Weapons for the soldier is a major collaborative exhibition showcasing works, by both young and senior men of the APY Lands and invited Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists, some of the most renowned in the country, that explore the themes of connection to country, protecting country, weaponry and warfare,” Acting Director of the Araluen Arts Centre, Mr Micheal Smith said.

The Weapons for the soldier project and exhibition was initiated by Vincent Namatjira, Aaron Ken, Derek Thompson, Anwar Young and Kamurin Young, with support from senior artists Willy Kaika Burton, Kunmanara (Ray) Ken, Peter Mungkuri, Mumu Mike Williams and Frank Young from the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunyjatjara (APY) Lands.

The exhibition was subsequently developed in partnership between the artists of the APY Lands, the APY Art Centre Collective and Hazelhurst Arts Centre, NSW where it was first presented in 2018.

The title and theme resonates with great force for the young Anangu men who initiated this ground-breaking curatorial project. It is a subject that senior APY artist Kunmanara (Ray) Ken has explored in his paintings throughout his career and with his permission and encouragement, along with the support of other senior men, these younger men explore what it means to be a soldier today and to fight in order to protect your land and all it entails.

For this exhibition, Vincent and the young men connected with other Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists who they saw as peers. They decided to work on a project where they could connect with artists who have inspired them, on their terms, in a process where their commitment to cultural protocol was maintained.

Fighting for Country and deep connection to Country are recurrent themes that are explored in Weapons for the soldier, evoking both the broader tenets of Australia’s military history and the ANZAC legacy, as well as the distinct position of Indigenous people within Australia who have long fought to maintain cultural strength and pride.

“This exhibition fosters dialogue around multi-geographical and multigenerational fights for land, Country and freedom experienced by Australians, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous. It is the translation of these universal themes which will resonate broadly with Araluen’s audiences,” Mr Smith said.

Weapons for the soldier fosters dialogue around multi-geographical and multigenerational fights for land, Country and freedom experienced by Australians, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, as well as the Indigenous experience in Australian military history.

Weapons for the soldier brings together accomplished and emerging APY Lands artists to the Araluen Arts Centre, including Vincent Namatjira, Alec Baker, Eric Barney, Willy Kaika Burton, Pepai Jangala Carroll, Taylor Cooper, Sammy Dodd, Witjiti George, Rupert Jack Kunmanara (Brenton) Ken, Kunmanara (Ray) Ken, Hector Mitakiki, Junior Mitakiki, Kamarin Mitakiki, Kunmanara (Willy Muntjantji) Martin, Peter Mungkuri, Kunmanara (Jimmy) Pompey, Keith Stevens, Derek Jungarrayi Thompson,Thomas Ilytjari Tjilya, Bernard Tjalkuri, Ginger Wikilyiri, Mick Wikilyiri, Mumu Mike Williams, Anwar Young, Frank Young and Kamurin Young.

The exhibition also includes works by an incredible list of artists from across the nation, invited to be part of the project. These include Ben Quilty, Tony Albert, Alex Seton, George Gittoes, Shaun Gladwell, Danie Mellor, Reko Rennie, Abdul Abdullah, Brook Andrew, Lionel Bawden, Richard Lewer, Uncle Charles ‘Chicka’ Madden and Jonathan Jones, Steaphan Paton and Greg Semu.

“To be able to present works by this prestigious group of artists, many of whom have focused on war and warfare in their previous works, is a significant event for Central Australia and the Araluen Arts Centre,” Mr Smith said.

Join artists for the official opening and public programs on Saturday 2 March, from 10:30am, Araluen Arts Centre.

Weapons for the Soldier will show in the Araluen Galleries until 22 April.

• Top image: Kunmanara (Ray) Ken, Weapons for the soldier, 2018, acrylic on linen, 300x200 cm. Courtesy of Tjala Arts.
• Bottom image: Tony Albert and Vincent Namatjira, Australia’s Most Wanted Armed with a paintbrush 2018, archival pigment print on paper, 100 x 100 cm