Our Mob 2013

Tjayangka (Antjala) Robin Walalkara Ngura  2012 (detail)Now in its eighth year, Our Mob is a statewide celebration of South Australian Indigenous art and artists, that features a superb exhibition and program of events that offer engaging experiences for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Our Mob generates a sense of pride and inclusion for South Australian Aboriginal artists who share their stories of place, country, identity and family in individual ways.

Our Mob is the culmination of arts activity throughout the state, with more than 100 artists from across South Australia exhibiting their work in the Artspace Gallery.

A wide range of art will be featured this year including sedge grass weaving by Ellen Trevorrow, photography by Arabunna artist Reg Dod and rising star James Tylor, paintings and ceramics from the APY Lands, and many more.

Young Indigenous artists will again participate in Our Young Mob, with works from 40 artists under 18 being exhibited in their own exhibition in the Festival Theatre Foyer.

Student works come from Port Lincoln High School, the Wiltja School and its residential programs where young people from all over SA come to Adelaide for their education. Their art depicts bright, strong images that centre on themes of homeland and family.

Our Mob will include a series of free events that celebrate artistic endeavours across various artforms: an Indigenous Writers Day featuring presentations from leading and award-winning Indigenous Australian authors and storytellers; and an Introduction to Photography Workshop for Indigenous Artists covering the fundamentals of digital photography as well as a brief history of Indigenous photography.

The Indigenous Art Symposium, a forum for artists, arts workers, students and art devotees, will feature discussions led by established and emerging Indigenous artists and will cover topics such as new media, Indigenous art practices, copyright and licencing, and much more. The day will also feature a dance performance by Wiltja Residential Program students.

The Our Mob 2013 exhibition will be display in Adelaide Festival Centre’s Artspace Gallery with the official opening to be held on Friday 25 October. The evening will also feature musicians from the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music.

This will include the inaugural presentation of the Don Dunstan Foundation Our Mob Emerging Artist Prize, which provides support to an emerging artist through a cash prize of $5000 and a professional development opportunity from Country Arts SA to the value of $1500.

The 2013 Our Mob exhibition runs from 25 October to 15 December. For more information and programme details, visit: www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au

Image: Image: Tjayangka (Antjala) Robin Walalkara Ngura  2012 (detail) © Tjayangka (Antjala) Robin, courtesy Kaltjiti Arts, Fregon