Tjala Arts is an Aboriginal art centre renowned for its vibrant artworks
The centre is located in Amata community in far northwest South Australia on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands. As an Aboriginal owned and managed corporation, Tjala Arts boasts an exciting exhibition program supporting established, mid-career, and emerging artists. Aboriginal Art is central to the community's identity and expression, and Tjala Arts plays a crucial role in preserving and promoting this heritage.
Established in 1999, Tjala Arts has launched the careers of notable artists including Wawiriya Burton, Ray Ken, Mick Wikilyiri, Sylvia Ken, Barbara Moore, and the five Ken Sisters - Yaritji Young, Freda Brady, Sandra Ken, Maringka Tunkin, and Tjungkara Ken - who won the prestigious Wynne Prize at the Art Gallery of NSW in 2016. Emerging artists Rhonda Dick and Anwar Young have also experienced success with photography, installation, and sound work. Rhonda and Anwar won the overall prize at the 34th Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (2017) for their multimedia collaborative work with fellow Tjala artist Frank Young. Anwar was also nominated for the John Fries Award the same year.
The Amata community, nestled in the picturesque Musgrave Ranges, has a long history of cultural resilience and artistic excellence. The people of this region have lived here for countless generations, maintaining a profound connection to their ancestral lands. The rugged beauty of the landscape, with its rocky outcrops, desert flora, and vibrant sunsets, provides endless inspiration for the artists of Tjala Arts. Their works often depict the flora, fauna, and spiritual significance of their environment, capturing the essence of their connection to the land.
Tjala Arts supports a diverse range of artistic practices, including painting, printmaking, and sculpture, each medium offering a distinct voice to the artists' stories. The artists at Tjala Arts draw inspiration from their surroundings and the rich traditions of their cultural practices. Their paintings are characterised by vibrant colors, intricate patterns, and deep cultural narratives. These artworks often tell stories of the Dreamtime, the Aboriginal understanding of the world's creation and its great ancestral beings. The canvases are alive with energy, depicting scenes of ancestral journeys, bush foods, and significant cultural sites. Each painting is more than a visual delight; it is a narrative that speaks to the spiritual and cultural life of the community.
Tjala Artists embrace a variety of mediums including acrylic paint on linen, punu (wood work), tjanpi (fibre weaving), and new media arts, and are renowned for their artistic excellence and innovative projects. The Kulata Tjuta (many spears) project, originated at Tjala Arts and has since spread across the APY Lands. This powerful cultural rejuvenation project focuses on sharing the skills of spear making across generations. The most recent iteration of this project featured a large-scale installation and sound work exhibited as part of the Tarnanthi Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts in Adelaide in October 2017.
Tjala Arts is known for its vibrant use of color and energetic mark making. Works by Tjala artists have been acquired by many high-profile collectors across Australia and abroad and are held in numerous public institutions, including the National Gallery of Australia, The Art Gallery of NSW, The National Gallery of Victoria, and The Art Gallery of South Australia.
Tjala Arts is a professional art-making studio where culture is celebrated and maintained by Anangu across three generations. It honors cultural practice and promotes and supports the highest level of ethical practice in the production and sale of Indigenous art. As an Anangu owned and governed business, Tjala Arts lies at the heart of the Amata community and has created widespread financial gain for families in the community and across surrounding homelands.
Tjala Arts is more than an art centre; it is a vital part of the community's social and economic fabric. The income generated from art sales supports local families and helps fund community projects, education, and cultural preservation initiatives. By promoting ethical trading practices and ensuring that artists are fairly compensated, Tjala Arts contributes to the sustainability and growth of the community. The centre regularly hosts exhibitions, workshops, and cultural events, providing opportunities for cultural exchange and fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of Aboriginal Art.
The artists of Tjala Arts are dedicated to sharing their stories, heritage, and vision with the world. Their works are held in major public institutions and private collections across Australia and internationally, including the National Gallery of Australia, the Art Gallery of New South Wales, and the South Australian Museum. Each artwork is a testament to their resilience, creativity, and profound connection to their culture and land.