Announced as the inaugural SPARK NT Curator in September 2017, Katherine based curator Clare Armitage presents Fecund: Fertile Worlds. A diverse exhibition of contemporary artists from across the NT and Australia, Fecund is a collective response to life, death and renewal in the natural world.

Fecund, meaning highly fertile or abundant new growth, presents a collection of contemporary works that inspire conversation and contemplation. Bringing together artists from all over Australia at different stages of their careers, the works are connected by the notions of fertility and the capacity to transform.

The exhibition is a visceral experience that includes a range of art forms. Large installation works such as Talitha Kennedy’s anthropomorphic black leather mangroves occupy the floor, while Nikala Bourke’s macroscopic images of plants and Djirrajirra Wunungmurra’s intricate Yukuwa yam paintings balance the irreverent and erotic works of Pony Express. Sounds from Claire Bridge’s video work permeate the space.

Fecund: Fertile Worlds is the first exhibition outcome from the SPARK NT Emerging Curator Program, initiated by Artback NT and supported by regional gallery partners: Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory and Northern Centre for Contemporary Art in Darwin; Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Cultural Centre in Katherine; Nyinkka Nyunyu Cultural Centre in Tennant Creek and Araluen Arts Centre in Alice Springs.

Armitage’s exhibition Fecund: Fertile Worlds will tour throughout the Northern Territory in 2018.