Celebrated First Nations artists showcased in new exhibition

Celebrated artist and curator Djon Mundine OAM in conversation with Marina Strocchi for Three Echoes: Western Desert Art at Caboolture Regional art Gallery 2022. Image courtesy Museums & Galleries QLD, Photograph by Andrea Higgins

An exquisite national touring exhibition of First Nations art opens this weekend at the Queen Victoria Art Gallery at Royal Park. 

Three Echoes – Western Desert Art showcases 81 paintings, prints and batiks by 57 artists from Ikuntji (Haasts Bluff), Papunya and Utopia Aboriginal communities in the western desert regions of the Northern Territory.

Curated by celebrated artist, writer and activist, Djon Mundine OAM FAHA, the exhibition features some of Australia’s most critically acclaimed artists including Billy Stockman Tjapaltjarri, Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula, Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri, Narputta Nangala Jugadai, Long Tom Tjapanangka, Dr George Tjapaltjarri, Gloria Petyarre and Emily Kame Kngwarreye. 

Tracing the rise of the Western Desert Art movement, this exhibition spans 30 years from the early 1970s to the early 2000s. The artworks hold special meaning for First Nations peoples, communicating important stories of tjukurrpa (Dreaming) and Country. 

Three Echoes – Western Desert Art explores the notion of echoes – of a thought, a sentiment or a consciousness. In the 1970s, Australian Aboriginal people from the desert began talking to the world through art, transferring their creation stories of the land and people to canvas. Now, their stories echo around Australia and around the world. 

“In the early 1970s, my father once told me of how, when he was a child in Bandjalung country, people coming along the river or through the woods would ‘Coo-ee’ to announce their presence at certain places where their voice would echo repeatedly, reverberating into the distance; to which the receiver would, chant-like, respond,” said exhibition curator Djon Mundine. 

City of Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood said the exhibition was a remarkable opportunity to get close to Australian Aboriginal art rarely seen in Tasmania. 

“This beautiful exhibition is travelling to 13 locations around Australia and this is the only chance to see it in Tasmania. It’s a real treat for Launceston residents and visitors,” Mayor Garwood said. 

QVMAG Director Shane Fitzgerald said the institution is honoured to welcome this multifaceted exhibition, showcasing the artistic developments and moments in time that contributed to the rise of the Western Desert Art movement. 

“This is a phenomenal collection of First Nations works, ” he said. “We invite everyone to join us in celebrating our world’s oldest continuous living culture and artistic traditions spanning tens of thousands of years through these incredible artworks.” 

Three Echoes – Western Desert Art is on display at the Art Gallery at Royal Park (2 Wellington Street, Launceston) from 1 February until 6 April 2025 with free entry. 

Three Echoes – Western Desert Art is an initiative of Museums & Galleries Queensland developed in partnership with Karin Schack and Andrew Arnott and curated by Djon Mundine OAM FAHA. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through its Visions of Australia program and through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body. It is supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.

Issued 31 January 2025.