Visual Arts

Woven within Stars

Presented in partnership between Country Arts SA, Tarnanthi and the Art Gallery of South Australia

Get tickets

About

Many First Nations people learn traditional stories about Country and Culture by looking up into the night sky and hearing ancient stories from our Elders. With larger-than-life characters sketched among the constellations, the stars are literally the origin of many First Nations creation stories – in the cosmos where all life began. The starry sky represents a darkness from which light first appeared.

We are all woven within stars, as every living being can trace its existence back to the beginning of creation and because we believe the beginning of creation by our ancestors is spiritually present today.

Woven within Stars considers how, from childhood, we carry stories that connect Country and Culture, then retell them as adults. Yet often as we age, the meanings of those stories develop, and we start to understand them differently. Their works speak to the power, resistance and resilience of First Nations communities.

Featuring new and existing works by nine First Nations artists from regional South Australia, including Roy Coulthard, Jonas Dare, Regg Dodd, Patricia Fatt, Donny McKenzie, Regina McKenzie, Lavinia Richards, Jenna Richards and Vera Richards.

Curated by Tarnanthi Regional Curator Marika Davies, this is the second exhibition from the award-winning Regional Tarnanthi program, presented in partnership between Country Arts SA, Tarnanthi and the Art Gallery of South Australia supported by Tarnanthi Principal Partner BHP.

Opening weekend

EXHIBITION OPENING
Friday 19 September, 5-9pm
To celebrate the opening of Woven within Stars, audiences are invited to a free opening night on Friday 19 September from 5pm at Yarta Purtli.

ART MARKET
Saturday 20 September, 10am-4pm
As part of the opening weekend celebrations, Country Arts SA will host the inaugural Regional Tarnanthi Art Market on Saturday 20 September from 10am to 4pm at the Barracks. Showcasing works by First Nations artists from the North, Far North, and West Coast of South Australia, the market will feature a diverse range of art including painting, sculpture, ceramics, jewellery and textiles. With no sales commission, 100 per cent of proceeds go directly to the artists. Food and coffee trucks will be on-site, and all are welcome to attend.

ARTIST PANELS
Saturday 20 September, 11am
The weekend continues with a free panel discussion on Saturday 20 September at 11am, led by curator Marika Davies.

STORIES IN SONG PERFORMANCE
Sunday 21 September, 3pm
Nathan May will present Stories in Song at the Port Augusta Uniting Church. Blending country, folk and Baroque traditions, this powerful performance in collaboration with violinist Julian Ferraretto and the Adelaide Baroque String Quartet offers an intimate musical journey centred on connection to Country, family and truth-telling.
Bookings: www.chambermusicadelaide.com.au

The exhibition is a partnership between Country Arts SA, Tarnanthi and the Art Gallery of South Australia, with support from Tarnanthi Principal Partner BHP.

Photo: Nat Rogers.

Sponsored by