ngaratya (together, us group, all in it together)

ngaratya (together, us group, all in it together) brings together six Barkandji/Barkindji artists: Nici Cumpston, Zena Cumpston, David Doyle, Kent Morris, Adrianne Semmens, and Raymond Zada. 

Several trips together on Country provided a rich foundation for the collective to create newly commissioned works that explore and illuminate their Ancestral connection and homelands. The artists spent time travelling together, engaging with cultural landscapes, their Elders, community, and each other, resulting in an immersive installation that comes collectively from their hearts. Featuring soundscape, moving image, screendance, carving, weaving, printmaking, and photography, ngaratya offers a warm invitation into Barkandji/Barkindji Country and belonging. 

ngaratya (together, us group, all in it together) is a Bunjil Place Gallery exhibition, curated by Nici Cumpston and Zena Cumpston, touring with NETS Victoria.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia program and has received development assistance from NETS Victoria’s Exhibition Development Fund, supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria.

Images:

1. Nici Cumpston

Barkandji people 

Old Mutawintji Gorge I-VII, from the series mirrimpilyi, happy and contented, 2023 

Adelaide, Kaurna Country

pigment inkjet print on Hahnemühle paper, hand coloured with PanPastel, crayon and pencil 

(I-II) (VI-VII) 44 x 120 cm (each); (III-V) 120 x 44 cm (each)

Nici Cumpston, Zena Cumpston, David Doyle, Kent Morris, Adrianne Semmens, Raymond Zada

Barkandji/Barkindji/Malyangapa people

nets, 2023 (detail)

Broken Hill, Wilyakali Country; Adelaide, Kaurna Country; Melbourne, Wurundjeri Country

spiny-headed sedge (Cyperus gymnocaulos)

50 x 300 cm (each) (variable) 

Installation view: Bunjil Place Gallery, 2023

Courtesy the artists and Michael Reid Gallery

Photo: Christian Capurro

2. David Doyle

Barkindji/Malyangapa people,

kamuru – river red gum, 2022–23 (detail)

Nici Cumpston, Zena Cumpston, David Doyle, Kent Morris, Adrianne Semmens, Raymond Zada

Barkandji/Barkindji/Malyangapa people

nets, 2023 (detail)

Installation view: Bunjil Place Gallery, 2023

Courtesy the artists

Photo: Christian Capurro 

3. Adrianne Semmens 

Barkandji people

kuntyiri, shadow, reflection, 2023 (still)

Broken Hill, Wilyakali Country, Kinchega National Park, Barkandji/Barkindji Country and Adelaide, Kaurna Country

three channel video, stereo sound, 7 minutes 43 seconds

Composer: Amy Flannery

Co-director: Johanis Lyons-Reid

Installation view: Bunjil Place Gallery, 2023

Courtesy the artist

4. Raymond Zada

Barkandji people

Bloodline, 2023 (detail)

Adelaide, Kaurna Country

12 etched acrylic panels, enamel paint

irregular, overall height 208.9 cm, width 317.4 cm

Installation view: Bunjil Place Gallery, 2023

Courtesy of the artist

Photo: Christian Capurro

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