Desert Mob turns 30

For 30 years, Desert Mob has been celebrating Aboriginal art from the Central Desert, allowing Art Centres from the desert regions of the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia to exhibit their best works and tell their stories. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, this year will be a pared-back iteration of the exhibition, in deference to the health and safety of its exhibitors and attendees. However, this will not compromise the calibre of this year’s works, and belated anniversary celebrations are set to commence in 2021.

Launching on Friday 11 September at the Araluen Arts Centre, Desert Mob 2020 will comprise of three elements. A physical exhibition of selected works from Aboriginal-owned Art Centres will be open to the public, providing visitors an excellent opportunity to see and purchase the works, as well as meet some of the exhibiting artists.

Alongside this, the Desert Mob Symposium will run from Friday 4 August to Friday 11 September, comprising of virtual presentations by the artists to contextualise their works and share their practice. Additionally, the Desert Mob Marketplace will be held from Saturday 12  to Saturday 19 September, where buyers will have an opportunity to purchase high-quality and affordable artworks and craft items on their online marketplace. To participate in either the Desert Mob Symposium or Desert Mob Marketplace, visit the Desart website here.

Participating Desert Mob 2020 Art Centres include:

• Arlpwe Art and Culture Centre
• Artists of Ampilatwatja
• Barkly Regional Arts
• Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists
• Ernabella Arts
• Greenbush Art Group
• Hermannsburg Potters
• Iltja Ntjarra Many Hands
• Iwantja Arts
• Kaltjiti Arts
• Keringke Arts
• Martumili Artists
• Maruku Arts
• Mimili Maku Arts
• Minyma Kutjara Arts Project
• Ninuku Arts
• Nyinkka Nyunyu
• Papulankutja Artists
• Papunya Tjupi Arts
• Papunya Tula Artists
• Tangentyere Artists
• Tapatjatjaka Art and Craft
• Tjala Arts
• Tjarlirli Art
• Tjungu Palya
• Walkatjara Art
• Warlayirti Artists
• Warlukurlangu Artists
• Yarrenyty Arltere Artists

For more information on Desert Mob 2020, visit the website here.

Image: Desert Mob 2019 Exhibition Opening. Courtesy: Oliver Eclipse and Desert Mob.