Pila Nguru: Art and Song from the Spinifex People

Pila Nguru presents the stunning and detailed commentary of Spinifex Country by the Traditional Owners of the area, as part of the first Native Title determination in Western Australia.

This exhibition is a unique opportunity to contemplate the depth and cultural range of traditional attachment to land that, in 2000, allowed the community to successfully negotiate a wide-ranging Native Title agreement with the West Australian State Government.

The Spinifex people began producing artworks that celebrated the successful outcome of their claim. Two large canvases, one painted by the men and one painted by the women, were produced which documented birthplaces and associated Jukurrpa's (lore/stories) from Spinifex Country. Both paintings were then formally included in the preamble of the final land agreement between the Spinifex People and the Western Australian Government passed through state parliament.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors are advised that this exhibition may contain images and voices of people who have since passed.

#Spinifex Arts Project

The Spinifex Arts Project began in 1996 as part of the broader Native Title process when Traditional Owners from the Spinifex Area moved to document and then secure an acknowledgement of Native Title across their lands.