Current Exhibitions

Hot Times

Hot Times presents newly created works produced by Martumili artists over yalijarra (hot time), or puyulururru (hot season) – the hottest months of the year. The period from November to February is characterised by scorching temperatures of over 40 degrees, big rains, holiday celebrations, and a well-earned break from studio painting while the art centre closes for two months. Artists continue to paint, but do so from ngurra (home) – the relative peace and quiet presenting a rare opportunity to develop works slowly over extended periods, to reflect deeply and push artistic practice into new domains.  

This year, Marlene Anderson ingeniously reworked old paintings over the hot times by adding layers of intricate detail – transforming them into dynamic new works buzzing with the vibrant colours of Country witnessed at this time of year. In her own words:

“Just want to sit and paint, peaceful, quiet, where I can think what colour next to put on, I sit for a while, I go long distance and I look […] Thinking my painting never sold so I’ll take it home and sit and look at it, think in my head, replace what’s missing in it.”

Hot times are also for family connection, with artists travelling across their Martu homelands to practice cultural lore (law/ceremony) business, track and hunt for bush tucker such as parnajarrpa (sand goanna) and wuukurta (honey ants), and catch up with extended family networks.

Shop artwork here