Injalak Arts centre of attention

NT Chief Minister Adam Giles tries his hand at fabric screenprinting during the official opening of a new Interpretive Centre at the Injalak Arts Centre in Gunbalanya on Wednesday 10 June.

LOCAL artists at Gunbalanya in West Arnhem are welcoming tourists to their new interpretative centre at Injalak Arts. 

The arts centre, which currently attracts more than 8000 visitors a year, has refurbished an old screen print workshop to create a new, multifaceted space that includes audio-visual screens, interpretative boards, signage, pathways, external shade areas and areas for lectures and workshops.

Located on the doorstep of Kakadu National Park, Injalak Arts is an ideal stop over for tourists looking for an authentic art and cultural experience, and it has strong appeal to international tourists and family groups.

Injalak Arts Director Felicity Wright said the new interpretive centre was much more than an interesting and informative space for tourists. 

“For up to five months of the year we don’t have tourists visiting, so the centre is also a valuable space for the community to share,” she said. “We now have a multimedia hub at Injalak, with trainer Scott Weston working with local artists – both men and women – to create content."

The centre provides a state-of-the-art home for Injalak Art’s extensive archival collection

"So our interpretive space will also be used for local film nights and theatre, screening films the artists have made. It is a neutral space that everyone in the community can utilise and enjoy," she said.

The new visitor interpretative centre provides a state-of-the-art home for Injalak Art Centre’s extensive collection of Indigenous printing, weaving and bark painting, where visitors can enjoy the work of more than 300 local artists.

“We have interpretive signage boards explaining the relationship between rock art and contemporary paintings on canvas or bark, plus a history of screen printing and fabrics, including trade with the Macassans,” Felicity said. “There is also information about the pandanus fibre used for weaving, and all of this is set amongst artworks as examples, as well as archival objects such as fish traps, and beautiful artworks by deceased artists.”

She said the interpretive display of history, culture, arts and crafts added a much deeper dimension to the visitor experience. 

“People can learn so much more now, and do it at their leisure, in addition to the assistance they receive from our local art centre guides,” she said.

Entry to the art centre, including the interpretive space, is free and accessible to all visitors and locals.  Donna Nadjamerrek, Chairperson of Injalak Arts explained: “It is important for our young people, who are coming here to learn their culture that they might not learn at home.” 

Chief Minister Adam Giles says the Northern Territory Government supported the new visitor interpretative centre with $100,000 funding from the NT and Commonwealth governments.

“Tourists will be encouraged to stay in the region longer, which has flow-on benefits for the local economy,” he said.

Injalak Arts welcome Francis Xavier Kurrupuwu MLA and NT Chief Minister Adam Giles to open their Interpretive Centre in Gunbalanya. Mr Giles and Mr Kurrupuwu are shown here admiring new signage, paid for by Tourism NT, with Injalak Co-Managers Isaiah Nagurrgurrba and Gabriel Maralngurra and Chairperson Donna Nadjamerrek.