Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre has been working with the Tarnanthi Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art, and with artist Tom Nicholson, on a major project that tells the story of the Kuprilya pipeline.

The exhibition titled Kuprilya Kwatja Etatha will feature at the Art Gallery of South Australia from 15 October 2021 to 30 January 2022.

Albert Namatjira, in the early days of his painting life, before he met Rex Battarbee, made handmade Boomerangs and painted on them and did pokerwork on them. The boomerangs that Albert painted on told an important story of life at Hermannsburg. One of the most important of these boomerangs tells the story of the building of the pipeline from Kuprilya. This offered inspiration for the Kuprilya Kwatja Etatha exhibition.

Participating artists, visual arts – Dellina Inkamala, Benita Clements, Selma Coulthard, Kathy Inkamala, Reinhold Inkamala, Vanessa Inkamala, Hubert Pareroultja, Ivy Pareroultja, Mervyn Rubuntja, Betty Wheeler and Marcus Wheeler
Video work – Gloria Moketarinja

Tarnanthi will also hold an online art fair from October 15 to October 18. Head to the Tarnanthi Website for more details.

Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre is recruiting for a Studio Art Worker position!

JOB TYPE: Part-time, 20 hours per week, 1 year contract

LOCATION: Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre, 29 Wilkinson St.

SUPERVISOR: Art Centre Manager

RESPONSIBILITIES: Be a cultural worker. Protect Aboriginal art and culture for the future and promote understanding of local law, rules, languages and manners. Work in a team with art centre staff to support artists and look after the studio to keep the art centre business strong. Be committed to what is best for your art centre. This is an Aboriginal identified position.

AWARD: Amusement, Events and Recreation Award link below:
www.fairwork.gov.au/pay/minimum-wages/pay-guides

AWARD CLASSIFICATION: Level 2

MAIN JOBS:

• Collect and record artists’ stories
• Photograph and document art works and artists’ portraits
• Safely handle and store artworks in organised spaces Interpret and translate for artists and non-Aboriginal staff
• Set up studio for artists, prepare and give out art materials
• Prepare art materials:
o Cut paper, tape on backing board, mark edges
o Stretch canvas, prime canvas, un-stretch finished canvases, mix paint colours, organise and wash paint pots
• Show artists how to care for materials and equipment
• Maintain a clean and safe workspace – follow workplace health and safety rules
• Clean and tidy the studio and stores including wet wiping, mopping and disinfecting daily
• Arrange artists’ meals
• Assist elderly / disabled artists with equipment and materials and a comfortable work set up
• Organise and travel with artists on country visits/ field trips /material collection (tjanpi, punu, ininti etc) trips
• Keep track of art supplies, help studio coordinator do orders

Duties may also include:
• Assist with sales and marketing
• Transport artists to and from the art centre, clean the art centre vehicle
• Shop for the art centre
• Receive and unpack deliveries of artwork supplies into storeroom
• Assist with special events, such as markets, festivals and exhibitions
• Travel to events with artists as a support worker
• Create videos for presentations, website, social media

QUALIFICATIONS AND TRAINING:
The Studio Art Worker position includes professional development and on the job training.
Willingness or ability to obtain the following (select):
• Digital camera and photography training
• Driver’s license
• First aid certificate
• Safe food handling
• Industry engagement professional development (where does the art go?)
• Conservation (looking after artworks) professional development
• Consult with (listen and take advice from) elders and community on cultural matters
• National Police History Check

SKILLS:

• Can work in a team and by yourself
• Checks own work to be accurate
• Computer literate
• Initiative – can find jobs that need doing without being asked
• Can take direction from manager, senior art workers or the board
• Maintains art centre confidentiality (doesn’t share private art centre business)
• Can prepare art materials or do training to learn how

PERFORMANCE GOALS:

• Attend work on time for the expected hours
• Communicate with art centre manager before taking time off from work e.g. sick, sorry business, family, ceremony
• Complete your work tasks carefully, with pride and to a high standard
• Join in and talk up in team meetings
• Work as a team and communicate well with everyone
• Help solve problems that come up in the art centre
• Follow the art centre’s Code of Conduct and rules
• Understand work health and safety (OH&S) report hazards, accidents and incidents
• Respect other staff, artists and customers
• Support art centre staff to maintain a respectful, safe and non-violent workplace

FURTHER INFORMATION
For more information regarding this position or the recruitment process please contact the Business
Manager (Wednesday to Friday) on (08) 79793452

Applicants are requested to submit written applications to:
Business Manager – Iltja Ntjarra Art Centre
Email: manager@manyhandsart.com.au

Hubert Pareroultja and Mervyn Rubuntja win the Wandjuk Marika 3D Memorial Award (NATSIAA) with their work on silk  ‘Through the veil of time’ (2021).

Judge’s comments: ‘Hubert Pareroultja and Mervyn Rubuntja’s immersive work Through the veil of time transported the judging panel to the Central Desert, and allowed us to experience Country through the eyes of the Hermannsburg School. Traditionally small-scale watercolourists, we were excited to see the artists working collaboratively and scaling up the size of their work’.

Now in its 38th year, the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA) are considered the most exciting and prestigious art awards for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, bringing together entries from established and emerging artists, and reflecting the incredible variety of artwork being created by artists all over the country.

Through the veil of time is now on show at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT).