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Warlpiri Drawings: Remembering the Future told the story of an intriguing collection of First Nations artworks created by Warlpiri people in Australia's Northern Territory in the 1950s and beyond.

The exhibition explored how drawing was used to make sense of 80 years of monumental change, to picture life in the present and look towards the future with hope. It included important early works from the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, in celebration of the institute's 50th anniversary.

Warlpiri Drawings was on show at the National Museum of Australia from 15 August 2014 to 28 June 2015.

Visitors viewing a series of framed works on a gallery wall.

Warlpiri Drawing book

The Warlpiri Drawing exhibition was accompanied by a book, Remembering the Future: Warlpiri Life Through the Prism of Drawing by Dr Melinda Hinkson, published by Aboriginal Studies Press, Canberra.

15 Oct 2014

Drawing Life: Warlpiri lines on a changing world

Anthropologist and curator Melinda Hinkson reflects on the process of introducing an important collection of crayon drawings, six decades after they were made, to the descendants of their makers in the Northern Territory.
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Presenters: Melinda Hinkson

Between the lines

Warlpiri Drawings curator Melinda Hinkson discusses the portrait sketches in Andrew Sayers’ book and explains how they signify moments of intimacy and cross-cultural relationships.
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Presenters: Melinda Hinkson

Acknowledgements

Warlpiri Drawings: Remembering the Future was curated for the National Museum of Australia by Dr Melinda Hinkson, Australian National University, in collaboration with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies, Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation and Warnayaka Art and Cultural Aboriginal Corporation, Mrs Joan Meggitt, Pintupi Anmatyerre Warlpiri Media Association, and the assistance of the traditional owners and community members of Yuendumu and Lajamanu.

Warlpiri Drawings was also on show at Charles Darwin University Art Gallery, Darwin from 5 August to 23 October 2015.

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