Tarnanthi names new artistic director as huge 2027 festival takes shape

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Image: Tarnanthi Festival 2023

One of Australia’s leading celebrations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art has revealed early details of its 2027 return, including a new artistic director, major exhibitions, and a four-year funding agreement.

Noongar curator and artist Zali Morgan has been appointed Artistic Director of the 2027 and 2029 Tarnanthi Festivals, taking the reins as the event prepares to return across Adelaide and regional South Australia next October.

Zali is currently Curator of the Carrolup Collection at John Curtin Gallery in Western Australia and has worked with institutions including the Art Gallery of Western Australia, Wesfarmers Arts and the Berndt Museum of Anthropology.

“It is both incredibly exciting and deeply humbling to be appointed the Artistic Director of Tarnanthi,” said Zali. “As a curator, I’m drawn to the ways art can hold stories, carry knowledge and create connections between people and place.

“I want to approach Tarnanthi with an open heart, listening to artists and communities, following where their ideas lead, and making space for the many different ways culture and contemporary practice can be expressed.”

AGSA Director, Jason Smith said, “Zali brings a strong curatorial vision, deep cultural knowledge and steadfast commitment to community-led practice. Under Zali’s leadership, Tarnanthi will continue to champion the vitality and diversity of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, while creating new opportunities for artists and audiences to connect through meaningful cultural exchange.”

Among the first exhibitions revealed is Yunupiŋu: Seven Sisters, a major survey developed with Buku-Larrŋgay Mulka Centre and the Yunupiŋu family.

The exhibition will bring together work by seven sisters from one of Australia’s most prominent artistic families: Gaymala, Gulumbu, Barrupu, Nyapanyapa, Djerrkŋu, Dhopiya and Djakaŋu Yunupiŋu.

Paintings, sculpture, works on paper and moving image will explore each sister’s individual practice, alongside selected works by their father, Gumatj cultural leader Muŋgurrawuy Yunupiŋu.

Another major project, Melting Point: Wati Wai!, will see Mimili Maku Arts artists, community members and specialist technicians collect, melt and cast salvaged aluminium car parts on Country. Yankunytjatjara artist and cultural leader Robert Fielding initiated the project.

Regional Tarnanthi will also return, with a new exhibition premiering in Thalpiri/Port Pirie before travelling to further locations.

Tarnanthi began in 2015 and has since developed into a year-round platform encompassing exhibitions, touring projects, an art fair, education and public programs, with its major festival held biennially.

Organisers say 2.5 million people have attended Tarnanthi exhibitions and events since its inception, with more than 10,000 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists participating.

The Tarnanthi Art Fair has generated more than $9.5 million in sales, with all proceeds going directly to artists and communities.

The next festival will be supported by a new $4 million South Australian Government agreement running from 2026 to 2030, alongside Tarnanthi’s continuing partnership with BHP.