Reclaimed | Art from Barkly

Reclaimed' features a selection of works from artists of the Barkly Tablelands, a vast expanse of 320,000 square kilometres in the Northern Territory, surrounding the cultural centre of Tennant Creek. From Wutunugurra (Epenarra) to Owairtilla (Canteen Creek), and Kulumindini (Elliott) to Tennant Creek, each artist brings their own distinctive style, yet all are unified by their own profound connections to Country, capturing the vivid blue skies, red earth, and vibrant flora of the region.  

'Reclaimed' centres around an installation of paintings on discarded metal objects, remnants of the area’s mining industry. The artists transformed these items – previously only associated with the violation of their lands – into soft representations of Country, symbolic of survival and regeneration.  

 “Originally it was just buckets, but given Tennant Creek’s history as a mining town, there are plenty of abandoned mine sites that are full of materials. That’s where we source our stuff.”    Emerson Radisich, Visual Arts Director  | Barkly Regional Arts

The Barkly collective, representing over fifty artists from remote communities, celebrates cultural heritage and fosters unity within and across their communities. Through 'Reclaimed', we are honoured to showcase the diverse voices and talent of sixteen artists who invite us to share in the enduring beauty and significance of the Barkly Tableland Region, revealing how culture and land remain indivisible.