Now in its 29th year, one of the nation’s most anticipated Aboriginal art and cultural events, Desert Mob 2019, opens today at the Araluen Cultural Precinct in Alice Springs until 20 October 2019.
The Territory Labor Government has again partnered with Desart and the exhibition will span three galleries and present close to 260 new artworks selected by 32 art centres.
The Desert Mob Symposium will be held tomorrow, 6 September, to celebrate the artistic and cultural achievements of the artists from Desart-member Aboriginal art centres and will feature presentations by Aboriginal artists and special guests that explore contemporary concerns through art grounded in deep cultural knowledge.
The Desert Mob MarketPlace returns on Saturday 7 September where art lovers can purchase art directly from Aboriginal-owned art centres with all proceeds going back to artists, their art centres and communities.
Desert Mob now attracts some 10 000 visitors each year from around Australia and the world. Last year, the Desert Mob 2018 exhibition generated over $1 million in total sales for Aboriginal communities and artists, providing a boost to the local economy and local jobs.
For more information visit www.desertmob.nt.gov.au
Quotes from Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture, Lauren Moss:
“Desert Mob is recognised nationally and internationally as a significant arts event, showcasing emerging practices and innovations in Aboriginal art from the desert.
“Featuring a major exhibition, an affordable art market and an all-day symposium, Desert Mob 2019 continues its tradition of acknowledging and celebrating the vast cultural, linguistic and geographical diversity of Aboriginal artists, including several Mparntwe (Alice Springs) based art centres.
“Seeing hundreds of Aboriginal artists on site alongside thousands of tourists, and the sense of pride and celebration of Aboriginal art and culture, reinforces why Central Australia is the rightful home for a national gallery, that will showcase and celebrate a globally significant, Australia-wide art collection from the world’s oldest continuous culture.”
Quotes from Member for Braitling, Dale Wakefield:
“Desert Mob continues to draw thousands of visitors and collectors to Alice Springs for an event that is truly unlike any other.
“Investing in our Aboriginal arts and culture industry is also about investing in tourism - both of which are major economic drivers and create jobs here in the Central Australia.
Quotes from Department of Tourism, Sport and Culture, Senior Director of Araluen Cultural Precinct, Felicity Green:
“The Araluen Cultural Precinct is proud to welcome back Desert Mob in partnership with Desart. It is a partnership that goes back close to two decades and continues to grow year on year. It is now a major event the whole of Alice Springs looks forward to.
“Desart members from Aboriginal-owned art centres across the Northern Territory, South Australia and Western Australia will once again be in attendance, presenting new arts projects and artworks by emerging and established Aboriginal artists.
“Desert Mob is the desert art epicentre, bringing Aboriginal artists to the beating heart of the country, Mparntwe, to reinforce and celebrate their culture together for the thousands of visitors who flood into the Precinct over this very special weekend.”
Quotes from CEO Desart, Philip Watkins:
“Central Australia is the home of the Aboriginal art movement and Desert Mob consistently demonstrates the vibrancy of artwork from the region, through an outstanding program of exhibition, symposium and marketplace.
“Desart is proud of all the artists and artworkers who share their cultural knowledge through contemporary art practice, affirming their identity and continuous connection to country.”
Media Contact: Lisa Sennett 0436 929 858
