Colouring The Landscape explores the evolving representation of place through a selection of bold and vibrant artworks that showcase the intricacies of Country from a First Nations perspective. Featuring works from Spinifex Hill Studio, Tjarlirli Art, Tangentyere Artists, Papunya Tjupi, Ikuntji Artists, and Bindi Mwerre Anthurre, this exhibition celebrates the deliberate and innovative use of colour, reflecting the diversity of voices and the evolving relationships between artists, community, and place.
When engaging with these artworks, it is important to recognise that only those from the artist’s community can fully understand their deeper meanings and cultural significance. These abstract representations are powerful expressions of sovereignty and resilience. As viewers, it’s important to approach these works with respect and a sincere effort to understand the land and stories they are connected to, while also adhering to the appropriate cultural protocols surrounding these knowledges.
The exhibition features both abstract and figurative representations of cultural narratives, alongside critical reflections on the ways colonialism has shaped and altered the landscape. Specifically in the Vault Gallery are numerous paintings by Billy Tjampitjinpa Kenda, an artist from Mparntwe-based art centre, Bindi Mwerre Anthurre. Within his artwork, Billy focuses on his mother’s Country, Jay Creek in the West MacDonnell Ranges, whilst further contextualising his own personal connection to the Central Desert.
Within his artworks is the acknowledgement of urbanisation as he incorporates objects such as trucks, cars and aeroplanes into his representation of the landscape. He highlights the impacts these man-made objects have as his artworks also feature animals such as kangaroos, and emus, looking on from afar, watching the way their home is changing.
Also featured in the Vault are two basket weavings from Pitjantjatjara artist Julie Anderson. With vibrant raffia and tjanpi (grass) these fibre sculptures highlight the evolution of cultural practice alongside the resourcing of outside materials. Julie creates these wonderful weavings through Tjanpi Desert Weavers, a social enterprise of the Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (NPY) Women’s Council that enables women living in the remote Central and Western deserts to earn an income from fibre art.
Raffia is a natural fibre obtained from raffia palms, which are native to tropical regions of Africa, particularly Madagascar. The use of this sourced material brings bold colours and rich textural variety to fibre artworks. It also provides artists with more creative accessibility as well as greater flexibility in expressing their connection to Country and the wider landscape.
The exhibition showcases the intergenerational sharing of knowledge that sustains and continues culture. Artists such as Sally Tjimpuna Butler and Bob Gibson from Tjarlirli and Kaltukatjara Art embody this through their reference of the familial and customary stories they have inherited through their parents. Sally Tjimpuna Butler is the daughter of acclaimed senior artist Katjarra Butler. Her emergent style echoes her mother's stories and the knowledge she has of the significant sites around her home country in the Western Desert.
Sally’s use of colour is said to be a reflection of her personality, characterised by vibrant shades and a harmonious palette of yellows, pinks, and purples. Together, these colours create an atmosphere of joy, warmth, and optimism.
Art offers an incredible form of storytelling, one that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples have practiced for over 65,000 years. As contemporary influences integrate into cultural dialogue, First Nations people continue to evolve the ways in which these stories are expressed. The use of vibrant, bright colours becomes a transformative act, allowing artists to represent Country in ways that are meaningful to them.
Colouring the Landscape is on display until 26 September 2025. Visit the Gallery here in Magandjin (Brisbane) at 89 Grey Street, South Bank, Brisbane QLD 4101.
Blog written by Makayla Dass, 2025.
Bibliography:
Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists. Certificate of Authenticity for artwork by Billy Tjampitjinpa Kenda. 2019.
Tjanpi Desert Weavers. “About Us.” https://tjanpi.com.au/pages/about
Tjarlirli Arts. Certificate of Authenticity for artwork by Sally Tjimpuna Butler. 20 June 2023.
