The Tjala Young Women’s Photography Program

In 2010 Tjala Arts began a photography program, instigated by young women in Amata who expressed an interest working with this new medium. These artists create works that explore Tjukurpa, as well as their lives and experiences as young Anangu women living in Amata. The program is managed in house by young artist Rhonda Unurupa Dick and supported by Art Centre staff. 

Artists involved in this program have experienced immediate success, in both their exhibitions and as recipients of Indigenous Art awards. Rhonda Unurupa Dick was the winner of the inaugural Desart Artworker photography prize in 2012, and went on to win the prestigious Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board Dreaming Award the following year. “I think the work we are making is being recognised because we bring our culture to the work, in the same way the artists bring it to their paintings. We have lots of famous painters in our community, but the young Artists like me are really enjoying telling our stories in this new way as well” says Rhonda. Most recently, Rhonda won the prestigious Telstra Prize (2017) for a multimedia collaborative work with fellow Tjala artists Anwar Young and Frank Young.

All artists in the Amata Women’s photography program are aged between 22 and 30. These young artists have big plans with several exhibitions in the pipe line. As Rhonda proudly states “This is just the beginning for us,  we have long careers ahead of us. People should watch out. We are going to be big”.

Artists include:

Unurupa Rhonda Dick

Brenda Douglas

Anita Pan

Mildred Robinson

Sharon Ken

Sharon Adamson

Casandra Raymond