Araluen Arts Centre: 
Desert Mob 2026 | Exhibition
Curated by Hetti Perkins (Arrernte and Kalkadoon) and Aspen Beattie (Luritja, Warumungu and Yawuru), Desart is proud to present the Desert Mob 2026 exhibition, featuring a curated selection of works from hundreds of artists across 35 art centres. The Desert Mob exhibition is an unmissable opportunity to view and ethically purchase artworks, by emerging and established artists from some of Australia’s most remote Aboriginal communities.
The exhibition presents over 150 incredible new works across many mediums including painting, works on paper, ceramics, weaving, sculpture, punu and wood carving.
Join the artists for the official opening of the Desert Mob 2026 exhibition from 5PM Thursday 10 September. The Vincent Lingiari Art Award exhibition will also be open with awards announced in conjunction with the official opening celebration. The opening evening is an exclusive opportunity to view and acquire works in person prior to both exhibition works going online here from 9AM Friday 11 September (ACST).
This event is free to attend and all works will be available to purchase.
Following the opening night, the Desert Mob exhibition continues until Sunday 25 October, from 10AM - 4PM (ACST) daily, with free entry over the opening weekend. The Vincent Lingiari Art Award exhibition continues until Sunday 18 October.
For more information and to see the full program, head to www.desertmob.com.
Gallery
Desert Mob is proudly presented by Desart in Mparntwe, on Arrernte Country and is supported by the NT Government through Arts NT, Tourism and Events NT, and the Community Benefit Fund, Creative Australia, and the Australian Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Strategy and the Visual Arts and Crafts Strategy.
Event listing image: L-R, Andrea Pungarta Rontji and Hayley Panangka Coulthar of Hermmansburg Potters at Desert Mob Opening 2025. Photo by Sara Maiorino, courtesy of Desart.
Image 1: L-R, Andrea Pungarta Rontji and Hayley Panangka Coulthar of Hermmansburg Potters at Desert Mob Opening 2025. Photo by Sara Maiorino, courtesy Desart.
Image 2: L-R, Adrian Jangala Robertson and Charles Jangala Inkamala of Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists at Desert Mob 2025 opening night. Photo by Sara Maiorino, courtesy Desart.
Image 3: Desert Mob 2025 exhibition featuring Tjanpi Desert Weavers’ collaborative works, ‘Tjapu-tjapu inkama! (Play ball!)’. Photo by Sara Maiorino, courtesy Desart.
Image 4: Kathleen Nanima Rambler with their collaborative work, 'Kwaty penh (After the rain)' 2025 by Artists of Ampilatwatja at Desert Mob 2025. Photo by Sara Maiorino, courtesy Desart.
Image 5: Marlene Rubuntja of Yarrenyty Arltere Artists at Desert Mob 2025 with her work, 'Bird with headpiece 2025'. Photo by Sara Maiorino, courtesy Desart.
Dates
Times
Official Opening
Thursday, 10 September at 5pm
Exhibition Duration
10 September 2026 - 25 October 2026
Opening Hours
Open daily, 10am to 4pm
Prices
Adult
$8
Concession
$6
Family Pass
$20
Free for NT residents
Free entry over the opening weekend
Genre
Location
Extra information
Accessibility
