Ngura Puḻka is an epic project both in scale and scope, led by senior First Nations artists and collectives from the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, Coober Pedy and Tarntanya/Adelaide, in South Australia.
Ngura Puḻka, open at the National Gallery until 23 August, brings together 30 large-scale paintings that depict expansive Country while celebrating the powerful Tjukurpa (Aṉangu law/cultural stories) that lie within, reinforcing the artists' deep connection to culture and place.
Through stories and distinctive designs, the featured artists continue to strengthen their cultural knowledge of their homelands.
Individual artists, as well as women's and men's collectives, bring their Tjukurpa to life on large canvases, sometimes through explosions of colour and sometimes in a muted palette.
Senior women artists, as Community leaders, describe these major works as representing the ultimate freedom of cultural expression, exploration and depiction of their Tjukurpa and Ngura (land).
"I love making paintings with my daughter Raylene. We've made many big canvases together, we send our paintings to exhibitions all over the place. When we're painting together, we talk about our lives and about our country and culture," said Yankunytjatjara artist Betty Chimney.
"Making paintings together is very special, the paintings are always exciting and interesting to make.
"It makes me so happy to work with my daughter, we are teaching the next generation about how important our culture is."
Head curator, First Nations Art, National Gallery Tina Baum (Gulumirrgin (Larrakia)/Wardaman/Karajarri peoples) said these artists have embraced the opportunity to celebrate and share their stories.
"'From the beginning of the APY art movement, these artists have embraced the opportunity to celebrate and share their stories through monumental works of art," she said.
"By bringing together some of their most ambitious works to date, Ngura Puḻka offers audiences the opportunity to experience the strength and beauty of the artistic practices coming out of the Central Desert."
Ngura Puḻka was scheduled to open in 2023 but was postponed for the National Gallery's independent review into the authorship of works following allegations raised in the media. This review validated the authorship of the works. Further independent government reviews concluded in 2025 with no further action being taken.
The National Gallery has worked closely with the artists to evolve the exhibition for its first public display. As a continuing Community project, the artists will present six new large-scale works that have been created since the scheduled 2023 show.
Presented alongside Ngura Puḻka is a selection of 13 works by APY artists drawn from the national collection.
The National Gallery has a proud history of supporting and celebrating artist-led projects by First Nations artists.
Major projects such as Ramingining Artists' The Aboriginal Memorial 1987-88, the Tjanpi Desert Weavers Seven sisters commission for Know My Name: Australian women artists in 2020, Kulata Tjuta: Tirkilpa throughout 2025-26 - and now Ngura Puḻka - elevate First Nations voices and represent the significance of using art as an avenue for conveying culture.
"Ngura Puḻka is one of the most ambitious First Nations community-driven art projects and the National Gallery is proud to stand by the artists and share it with our audience," said Dr Nick Mitzevich, director, National Gallery.
"After a long journey, we invite everyone to visit the exhibition, to celebrate the work of these remarkable artists and witness the power of cultural storytelling through art," he said.
Sandra Pumani, Yankunytjatjara artist and chairperson of the APY Art Centre Collective, said Ngura Puḻka is a project that has been a long time coming.
"Ngura Puḻka has been a long time coming, but we always knew we would get here because of the strength and resilience of our artists, our artworks, and our culture," she said.
"We stand by these artworks together as one, and we are proud to share them with Australia.
"Pukulpa pitjama - we welcome everyone to come with excitement, see this exhibition, and celebrate the joy and power of Aṉangu art and culture."
Ngura Puḻka—Epic Country is presented in partnership with APY Art Centre Collective, with the support of Art Centres; Tjala Arts, Mimili Maku Arts, Umoona Arts, Iwantja Arts, Kaltjiti Arts, Collective Art Centre Adelaide, as well as artists from Ernabella and Pipalyatjara.
The National Gallery is grateful to all Ngura Puḻka—Epic Country supporters including Major Partner CreateSA and donors to the 2022 collective giving campaign.
For more fashion, beauty and lifestyle news, subscribe for free to the Style Up newsletter.
