South Australia Announces New World-Class Aboriginal Art Festival TARNANTHI for October 2015

South Australia's new world-class Aboriginal visual arts festival will be known as Tarnanthi. Premier Jay Weatherill has announced the festival's name and the convening of cultural advisers to guide Tarnanthi organisers and the Art Gallery Board ahead of next year's festival.

The announcement follows the release last year of a State Government policy to establish a high-end Aboriginal art festival in South Australia to be supported by the State Government, Art Gallery of South Australia and principal sponsor BHP Billiton.

Organisers are talking to artists, curators and collectors across the country to bring together the elements of the festival.

"We have an ambitious goal of making South Australia the international portal for Aboriginal visual art," Mr Weatherill said. "Tarnanthi will showcase contemporary works of art created by artists from the oldest continuous living culture on earth. The festival will include a series of exhibitions, artist workshops, a symposium and an art fair. The name beautifully captures both the vision of this Festival and the importance of celebrating language throughout the program."

Tarnanthi (TAR-NAN-DEE), a Kaurna word developed with Kaurna Warra Pintyanthi at the University of Adelaide, means to come forth, as in the sun and the first emergence of light, or of a seed sprouting.

"Respected Aboriginal community members with expertise in arts and community engagement from across the country will provide advice to the Art Gallery and the Tarnanthi organisers," Mr Weatherill said.

Lee-Ann Tjunypa Buckskin and Klynton Wanganeen said Tarnanthi would be a Festival for all Australians.

"It will showcase the best work being created by highly respected Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from across the nation. It will challenge perceptions of what Aboriginal art is, and remind us all that this is a living culture with an art practice that is celebrated internationally," they said.

Joining Ms Buckskin and Mr Wanganeen providing advice are Khatija Thomas (Commissioner for Aboriginal Engagement), Dr Lewis O'Brien AO (Kaurna Elder), David Miller (Ananguku Arts), Philip Watkins (Desart), Simone Tur (Yunggorendi, Flinders Uni), Mandy Brown (Country Arts SA) and Tracey Whiting (Art Gallery Board representative).

The Art Gallery of South Australia will partner with cultural institutions across Adelaide to present the Festival, including Tandanya, Adelaide Festival Centre, Botanic Gardens of Adelaide, History SA, JamFactory, Kaurna Warra Pintyanthi (University of Adelaide), National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, SAMSTAG Museum (University of South Australia), South Australian Museum, State Library of South Australia and many others. In addition, there will be satellite exhibitions including a regional exhibition in Port Augusta to ensure broad community engagement and involvement in this important event.

The festival will take place during October 2015. For further information on Tarnanthi please visit www.tarnanthi.com.au and register your interest or follow on Twitter @Tarnanthi #Tarnanthi.