UNMATCHABLE & UNMISSABLE DESERT MOB
Truly a highlight of the Central Desert calendar, Desert Mob brings its month of magic to Mparntwe/ Alice Springs, starting with a flourish of events on its opening weekend.
WORDS ROSIE WILD
THE EXCITEMENT ALWAYS builds for Desert Mob's incredible set of events. World-famous and emerging artists pile their families into dusty troopies and travel from distant points across the NT, SA, and WA. Private collectors book their flights. People who live here clear their calendars and attend, year after year.
Desert Mob's major exhibition, along with its opening night, entourage of artist talks, highly anticipated marketplace, and host of satellite events, are all, quite honestly, not to be missed.
Aspen Beattie, co-curator of Desert Mob alongside Hetti Perkins, says this iconic set of events is very much made by desert mob.
"Desert Mob is so special, because artists from these remote communities are able to share the beautiful artwork that comes out of desert country and express their pride for culture, Country, and family in a local context, close to home," Beattie says.
A wonderful weekend of events surrounds the launch of Desert Mob's acclaimed exhibition, starting with Thursday night's Official Opening.
"Between the exhibition, lovely weather, food and live music … it’s always a guaranteed special evening. The atmosphere every year always feels unmatched to me," Beattie says.
Make it to the Official Opening, and you'll be amongst the first to see the exhibition before it goes live online.
"[This exhibition is so significant because] major institutions, galleries and private collectors make the trip every year to scope out the talents of emerging and established artists. Many famous artists have made their debut at Desert Mob, making strides in the art world, receiving international acclaim, winning major art awards, and so much more," Beattie says.
The exhibition brings together artworks from more than 20 language groups across the Barkly, APY lands, Ngaanyatjarra lands, North West, and Central Desert regions.
Artists and Art Centres carefully select their most significant pieces while curator, Hetti Perkins – with Beattie and the Desart team – works hard in the background to bring it all together.
"It feels like an incredible privilege," Beattie says.
Also a highlight is the Artist Talks. From activism to animation, fashion shows to the fire of glassmaking, tales from history, talks from community leaders, famous artists, and Ngangkaris (traditional healers) – attendees get to hear about recent and upcoming projects, trips or exhibitions and see films, photos, and fashion.
"[The Artist Talks] help people realise the massive role Art Centres and correlating community services play in remote communities, as well as the successes they bring to the outcomes of artists and their families," Beattie says.
“We hope it encourages people to look more into these Art Centres and find ways to support the people, the art or the community in which they live.”
After the gentle listening and insight of Friday, dear readers, the Saturday morning Marketplace is ready-set-go!
"Desert Mob Marketplace is often coined by us as Four Hours of Power, with thousands of buyers rushing to find the perfect artwork," Beattie says.
Marketplace is a hubbub of crowds, activity and excitement, hosting stalls from over 30 centres, with 100% of sales money going direct to the artists and Art Centres.
"[For artists], not only is the Marketplace good for business and ethical purchasing, but it allows them to see the demand for their work to keep being made. [For buyers], if the exhibition works are out of their price range, then it's sometimes a more affordable way to find a work by your favourite artist and often-times meet the artists themselves at their Art Centre stall," Beattie says.
The Marketplace also hosts a free Public Program of ceramics and soft sculpture workshops, plus a ticketed two-day workshop where you can make your own pot with some of the world-famous Hermannsburg Potters.
After the surge of opening weekend subsides, Desert Mob keeps on giving with its satellite events, offering a range of exhibitions in Arts Centres across Mparntwe/Alice Springs.
Organisers hope attendees come away feeling how special it is to connect with these artists and Art Centres so directly and personally. The whole month is an excellent time to see and buy desert art, and connect with the people and culture that make it so magical.
Desert Mob
WHEN THU 11 SEP - SUN 26 OCT
INFO desertmob.com
Image: Sara Maiorino
