Two Girls From Amoonguna

Two Girls From Amoonguna is an exhibition featuring new work by Arrernte and Southern Luritja artist Sally M Nangala Mulda and Western Arrarnta artist Marlene Rubuntja. Encompassing video, bush-dyed, handsewn soft sculptures and observationalist paintings,
it recounts their intertwining stories of friendship and resilience.

The centerpiece is an animated work titled Arrkutja Tharra, Kungka Kutjara, Two Girls. It delves into the reality of First Peoples’ experiences in Central Australia, chronicling the artists’ successes and struggles. Both renowned Town Camp artists, the two friends grew up at the Amoonguna Settlement in Northern Territory but wouldn’t reconnect until later in life, after both had witnessed a number of hardships. Now having achieved so much, they are immensely proud of one another. Sally and Marlene’s practice is representative of where they live, Mparntwe (Alice Springs). Playful, self-referential, and humorous, it embodies the history and rich culture of Mparntwe and its surrounding town camps. The exhibition is beautiful, poignant, and honest in its portrayal of community life and government control.

Arrkutja Tharra, Kungka Kutjara, Two Girls was made in collaboration with Ludo Studio, the Emmy-award winning production company behind Bluey, Robbie Hood, and The Strange Chores, and is an Artbank +ACMI co-commission. An ACMI touring exhibition.

“Two Girls from Amoonguna is an exhibition I’m extremely proud to have curated. Sally M Nangala Mulda and Marlene Rubuntja are accomplished artists and seeing their work brought to life by Ludo was remarkable. Their work speaks to the activist spirit that First People artists hold within them.”  Curator Jenna Rain Warwick (Luritja)

Main Tile Image credit: Sally M Nangala Mulda and Marlene Rubuntja, Arrkutja Tharra, Kungka Kutjara, Two Girls, 2023 (video still).