APY Lands exhibition opens at National Gallery after three-year authentication delay

The National Gallery of Australia has opened a significant new exhibition of work by First Nations artists from South Australia's remote APY Lands, concluding a three-year process that saw the works subject to an authenticity investigation.

Ngura Puḻka — Epic Country, which opened on Saturday, features 30 large-scale paintings by 49 artists from the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, Coober Pedy and Adelaide. The exhibition is presented in partnership with APY Art Centre Collective and will run for 19 weeks at the Canberra venue.

Scale and scope of the collection

The exhibition has garnered particular attention for the monumental dimensions of its works. Tina Baum, head curator of First Nations art at the National Gallery, emphasised the unprecedented scale of the collection.

"Thirty of the works we have in the exhibition, 29 of them are three-by-three metres. They're epic in story, they're epic in scale," Ms Baum said.

The vast majority of works measuring three metres square represent a departure from traditional Aboriginal art formats and speak to the ambitions of the artist collective to create works of commanding presence in a contemporary gallery context.

Authentication process resolves delays

The exhibition's postponement stemmed from an investigation into the authenticity of the artworks—a process that concluded successfully, confirming the legitimacy of all works on display. The investigation, though lengthy, was considered necessary given the high-profile nature of the exhibition and its presentation at a national cultural institution.

The authentication process did not diminish the exhibition's significance but rather underscored the rigorous standards applied to First Nations art at the National Gallery level. The investigation's clearance provides assurance to audiences and reinforces the integrity of the works.

Artist-led direction marks distinctive curatorial approach

The exhibition distinguishes itself as an artist-led project, meaning participating artists held significant agency in its conception and presentation. This approach reflects a broader shift within Australian cultural institutions towards greater collaboration with First Nations communities in determining how their work is displayed and contextualised.

Among the 49 artists featured are Pitjantjatjara women Naomi Kantjuriny and Mona Mitakiki Shepherd, alongside numerous other practitioners from the APY Lands region. The collective representation emphasises the collaborative strength of the artistic community across South Australia's Far West.

National significance and cultural context

The opening of Ngura Puḻka — Epic Country represents a significant moment for First Nations contemporary art in Australia's national cultural landscape. The APY Lands, encompassing a vast area of South Australia's remote interior, have long been recognised as a centre of artistic excellence and cultural preservation.

The exhibition's arrival at the National Gallery of Australia validates the distinctive aesthetic and cultural contributions of APY artists while providing a national platform for works that might otherwise remain primarily within regional or community contexts.

The 19-week run provides extended access for audiences across Australia to engage with the works, whether through in-person visits or through the National Gallery's digital platforms.

Source: ABC News