True Story – of life with love from central Australia
About
Presented by Artback NT with support from Alice Springs Town Council & Regional Arts Australia.
Artback NT invites you to experience the rich, diverse stories, compelling rhythms, and vibrant energy of regional and remote Northern Territory. We proudly champion and support the artists and communities of our region, fostering creativity, cultural expression, and connection. Through our Visual Arts Program, we collaborate with Northern Territory artists, curators, organisations, and communities to co-create and tour exhibitions across remote, regional, and metropolitan galleries, sharing high-quality visual arts experiences with audiences across Australia.
True Story is a dynamic collection of figurative works curated by six prominent art centres from central Australia. This exhibition tells the shared moments, memories, joys, and struggles of desert life through the eyes of First Nations artists living across the region.
Audiences will be drawn into the heart of Australia’s iconic desert landscape—a place both captivating and mysterious in the popular imagination, yet fundamental to the national identity. True Story invites you to step into the lived experiences of life on Country, in town camps, and remote communities. The exhibition reflects the compelling storytelling style of diverse communities of artists, who share their everyday experiences, childhood memories, dreams, and the realities of life in remote Australia. These stories speak to the ongoing care for Country, the challenges of remote travel, and the ongoing fight for recognition and human rights.
Thank you for joining us in this celebration of art, culture, and shared histories.
Roni Judge
Visual Arts Manager, Artback NT
2025
Artback NT is assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body and Proudly Sponsored by Arts NT.
This project was made possible by the Australian Government Regional Arts Fund, which supports the arts in regional and remote Australia and Alice Springs Town Council with in-kind support from 8CCC Community Radio.
Artists
Bindi Mwerre Anthurre
Charles Jangala Inkamala, Adrian Jangala Robertson, Billy Tjampitjinpa Kenda
Hermannsburg Potters
Rona Panangka Rubuntja, Hayley Panangka Coulthard, Abel Pareroultja, Beth Mbitjana Inkamala, Dalissa Brown
Iltja Ntjarra / Many Hands Art Centre
Mona Lisa Clements, Dellina Inkamala, Kathy Inkamala
Tangentyere Artists
Marjorie ‘Nunga’ Williams, Coralie Williams, Nora Abbott, Sally M Nangala Mulda, Betty Conway
Tjanpi Desert Weavers
Rosalind Yibardi, Kathryn Queama, Christobell Protty, Kirsten Kulitja, Carolyn Kenta, Margaret Smith, Julie Anderson. Tjunkaya Tapaya, Lynette Lewis, Yvonne (Stacia) Lewis, Imuna Kenta, Carolyn Kenta
Yarrenyty Altere Artists
Beth Ebatarinja, Rhonda Sharpe, Marlene Rubuntja