Hundreds of Aboriginal artists will gather on Thursday for a unique celebration of desert culture in the heart of Australia.
It comes as Desart, the peak body for Central Australian Aboriginal Art Centres, launches Desert Mob 2023 at Araluen Arts Centre in Mparntwe/Alice Springs.
Artists visiting Mparntwe for Desert Mob will share the richness and diversity of desert art and experience the myriad of contemporary expressions of an enduring culture.
The exhibition will feature 35 Aboriginal Art Centres and host a weekend program that includes a symposium, marketplace, workshops, demonstrations, performances and satellite events over the opening days.
The official opening will see Desert Mob kick off at the Araluen Arts Centre galleries and precinct with hundreds of emerging and established artists gathering for an exhibition preview and to celebrate their work.
The 35 community Art Centres represented in Desert Mob 2023 are from a geographic area that spans 1.221 million kilometres and sixteen language groups.
Highlights include a day-long Symposium event including the Milpa digital project, Ntaria Clay - past and present from Hermannsburg Potters, Ngurra Kutjuwarra (on Country together) from Warlayirti Artists sharing the healing power of connecting to country.
Award-winning short films from Tjanpi Desert Weavers will be showcased on the day and fashion premiers by Yarrenyty Arltere Artists and Ewyenper Atwatye x Magpie Goose will be shown.
Artists of Ernabella Arts will be demonstrating graffiti techniques to depict their Tjukurpa and connection to country and culture, with conversations with the artist while they are working to hear their stories and explain their techniques welcomed.
A soft sculpture workshop with Yarrenyty Arltere Artists, where participants are welcome to create birds and other shapes from the natural environment with the acclaimed Yarrenyty Arltere Artists who live and work in Mparntwe/Alice Springs and sew with creativity and joy on country will feature.
And a visit to the world-famous Hermannsburg Potters studio and community BBQ in Ntaria will also be held.
Tickets areon sale via the Desert Mob website.
