Visual arts students are stepping into the SALA spotlight for the very first time with an exhibition of more than 300 original works.

The exhibition - entitled Echoes of Tarnanthi - will feature artworks by 160 students in Years 7-11 who have taken their inspiration from Adelaide’s most recent Tarnanthi Festival and who have explored ways in which symbolism is used in art to convey important messages about life, culture and meaning.

How to see the exhibition

Book a ticket for opening night 

When: Thursday 29 August 2024, 5:30pm-7:30pm

Where: Tatachilla Lutheran College EcoSanctuary (211 Tatachilla Road McLaren Vale)

Cost: Free

An exhibition catalogue will be available to all visitors.

The exhibition will also be open to the public on Saturday 31 August 2024, 10:00am-12:00pm. No ticket required.

See Echoes of Tarnanthi on the SALA website.

The inspiration for Echoes of Tarnanthi

The college’s visual arts students have spent an entire semester exploring how contemporary First Nations artists such as Vincent Namatjira, Tiger Yaltangki, Nyangulya Katie Nalgood and Janet Fieldhouse draw from cultural iconography to tell their personal stories. 

As part of this investigation, the students have considered how they might also use symbolism to make meaning of their own lived experiences and express their unique personal narratives.

The outcome is an expansive, lively and deeply reflective exposition that traverses ceramics, textiles, painting, drawing and moving image, showcasing a range of exciting artistic techniques.

“Visitors will be surprised by the depth and volume of work on display, and the vibrant and moving way that the students have captured their own personalities and life experiences through art,” says Tatachilla Lutheran College art teacher, Coral Winterbourn.

“Each artwork stands alone as a unique visual statement of the self, but also exists as part of a collective narrative that speaks to the human journey as a whole, with all of its twists, bends, revelations and joys.”

What to expect at the exhibition

Exhibition-goers can expect to see:

• painted clay pots that depict scenes from students’ memories, holidays and special journeys (inspired by the work of Judith Pungarta Inkamala)
• mixed-media ‘pop’ collages that celebrate students’ favourite musicians and songs (influenced by Tiger Yaltangki’s well-known artistic homage to AC/DC)
• stop motion animations that use photography and painted paper to explore a personal story (reminiscent of the work of Sally M. Nangala Mulda and Marlene Rubuntja)
• clay busts that express an element of students’ unique identities, culture and worldviews (inspired by the use of symbolism in artwork by Elizabeth Close, Djakaŋu Yunupiŋu and Janet Fieldhouse)
• handmade, native Australian felt animals embellished with colourful thread to create a textured surface (inspired by work of the Yarrenyty Arltere Artists in the Northern Territory)
• paintings of native birds using the impasto technique modelled by Nyangulya Katie Nalgood
• clay vessels decorated using the sgraffito design technique employed by the artists of Ernabella Arts in the Pukatja community (Northern Territory)
• life-size self-portraits that reflect students’ perception of themselves and draw on the portraiture techniques used by Vincent Namatjira in the creation of his self-portrait, Close Contact.

Preparing for careers in the arts

Echoes of Tarnanthi has not only helped students gain an insight into themselves, but also equipped them with an understanding of the processes involved in constructing artworks and producing a large body of work for a real exhibition.

Says Coral Winterbourn, “The students have refined their technical skills in art-making and learned how curation affects the meaning of an artwork and how concepts and ideas can be presented in a myriad of ways.

“The opportunity to exhibit as part of the SALA Festival is just one of the ways that Tatachilla’s visual arts program seeks to bring the arts curriculum to life, expose students to real-world artistic settings and equip students with the skills they need to produce their own artistic portfolio in readiness for their future professional lives.

“We hope that many people come and see Echoes of Tarnanthi and feel inspired by the level of creative talent across our arts program and the ability of young, emerging artists to communicate a powerful message through diverse media.”

Featured artwork: "Big head Boris" by Lennox Ticehurst (Year 7), acrylic painting of native bird on watercolour paper using impasto (technique).