Contemporary and traditional Indigenous art will light up Alice Springs in September and October for Parrtyeme, featuring Australia’s largest-ever light show installation.
The event, which takes its name from the Arrernte word “Parrtma”, meaning “light up”, promises to “showcase the oldest continuous culture on earth through the newest technology on a 300-million-year-old natural canvas”.
It will boast the biggest light show installation the country has ever seen, with more than 2.5km of the MacDonnell Ranges being illuminated as part of the event.
One featured installation will be a series of large illuminated 1950s-style circle skirts feature the watercolour artwork of Lenie Namatjira, granddaughter of Albert Namatjira.
The festival will also feature artworks by Hubert Pareroultja, a senior Western Arrarnta-Luritja artist who lives at Kulpitharra/Lundara outstation west of Hermannsburg (Ntaria), and Therese Ryder, an artist from Alice Springs, who belongs to the Eastern Arrente language group.
‘Namatjira’ skirt artist Lenie Namatjira at the launch of Parrtyeme. Source: Supplied
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Northern Territory Chief Minister Adam Giles said the territory government had been working with AGB Events, known for their work on award-winning Vivid Sydney, in close collaboration with Central Australian Aboriginal artists.
"The focus of the event is helping to share art, culture and stories from the Indigenous community," Mr Giles said.
"The festival will feature three separate, distinctive installations of original, authentic Indigenous art created by local artists, students and the community using light and sound."
The free 10-night event will take place from September 23 to October 2 at Alice Springs Desert Park.
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