The Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre will open two exhibitions, Saltbush Country and Big Sky on Friday 7 November 2025.
One of the major exhibitions in the 2023 Tarnanthi Festival, Country Arts SA’s Saltbush Country is an innovative collection of new works profiling contemporary regional artists. Continuing its statewide journey, the exhibition provides audiences with the opportunity to experience the works and worldviews of a group of South Australian Aboriginal female artists.
Curated by Tarnanthi Regional Curator Marika Davies, the collection is the result of a series of community workshops, mentoring, and professional development opportunities catering to prominent regional artists and supported by Country Arts SA and Tarnanthi, the Art Gallery of South Australia’s award-winning program of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.
Saltbush Country is a powerful example of arts organisations such as Country Arts SA and Tarnanthi collaborating in order to showcase the phenomenal talent of our regional First Nations artists. Saltbush Country is also an important platform for reconciliation through arts and culture. I’m delighted that people across regional South Australia will have the chance to see these fantastic works for themselves.- South Australian Minister for Arts Andrea Michaels
The artists include Josephine Lennon (Mirning and Antikirinjara peoples, South Australia), Juanella McKenzie (Adnyamathanha, Luritja and Lower Southern Arrernte peoples, South Australia/Northern Territory), Marli Macumba (Pitjantjatjara and Yankunytjatjara peoples, South Australia) Deanna Newchurch (Narungga people, South Australia), Lynette Newchurch, (Narungga people, South Australia), Sandra Saunders (Ngarrindjeri and Buandig peoples, South Australia), Heather Shearer, (Arrernte people, Northern Territory/South Australia).
“This exhibition is a prodigious collection of work from female artists that speaks to contemporary First Nations culture in our state. The artists have been given the opportunity to identify how they can develop their practice to create new work for the exhibition. The resulting works are ambitious and show exciting new directions for all the artists involved,” Tarnanthi's Artistic Director, Barkandji curator Nici Cumpston OAM said.
Complementing Saltbush Country is Big Sky - an exhibition of exemplary artworks by prominent contemporary First Nations artists. Big Sky surveys pieces from significant South Australian institutions, including Art Gallery of South Australia, University of South Australia, Flinders University Museum of Art and the Riddoch’s own collection, showcasing a group of artworks that feel bigger than their frames.
“We are very grateful to be able to work with these artists and institutions to bring together this group of very strong works of art in conversation with one another. Big Sky is a powerful and thought-provoking exhibition,” Riddoch Art Gallery Curator Chris Clements said.
Big Sky features works by James Tylor and Laura Wills, Ian Abdullah, Beaver Lennon, Kunmanara (Jimmy) Pompey, Kunmanara (Tiger) Yaltangki and Mount Gambier artist Shaq Carter.
“This exhibition celebrates First Nations artists and brings together a collection from across South Australia that is rich and diverse, connecting through culture and country. This carefully curated exhibition showcases the outstanding works in South Australian public collections, including the Riddoch’s own exceptional collection,” Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre Director Ashleigh Whatling said.
The exhibition opening event will commence at 6:00pm on Friday 7 November 2025 at The Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre, 1 Bay Road Mount Gambier. RSVP is essential via linktr.ee/theriddoch or phone (08) 8721 2563.
Saltbush Country artist Sandra Saunders will host a floor talk on Saturday 8 November 2025 at 11:00am to share her involvement in the project. The event is free to attend and registration is not required.
Both exhibitions are officially on view to the public from Saturday 8 November 2025 to Sunday 18 January 2026. The Riddoch is open from 10:00am to 5:00pm weekdays and 10:00am to 2:00pm weekends and most public holidays. Entry is free. For more information visit www.theriddoch.com.au
Media contact: City of Mount Gambier Communications Officer Ashlea Watson at awatson@mountgambier.sa.gov.au or phone (08) 8721 2578.
