This installation celebrated the Eastern, Western, and Central Arrernte peoples and traditional language groups. Artists and family groups from across Mparntwe (Alice Springs) and the East and West MacDonnell Ranges had joined Parrtjima to paint iconic symbols, important totemic connections, language, pop art, and all the elements that connected them.

As an ever-adapting ancient culture, Aboriginal Australians found many uses for all types of objects and materials on Country, particularly when it came to vehicles. Cars were prized possessions, providing the opportunity to drive vast distances to reconnect to homelands. With few mechanics across the region, car parts and interiors from rusting vehicles were adapted and reused to breathe new life into wrecks once thought broken and unrepairable.

Working with the community, our Arrernte vehicles had been given a new lease on life as markers of the three distinct language groups. A quirky collage of pop imagery and ancient icons, the Arrernte installation represented culture, landscape, and elements of Country with a series of three cars depicting the West blending with the community.