EXHIBITION
BRIO X A DECADE OF RECLAMATION
Tennant Creek Brio
3 - 23 AUGUST 2026
Opening Event // 5 August 6.30pm
BRIO X: A Decade of Reclamation marks ten years of the Tennant Creek Brio – an artist collective whose bold, collaborative practice has transformed lived experience into powerful acts of truth-telling, resilience and renewal. Working across painting, sculpture and reclaimed materials, the Brio challenge conventions while drawing on the stories, histories and enduring strength of Warumungu Country. This exhibition celebrates a decade of fearless experimentation, collective spirit and the ongoing reclamation of culture, identity and place.
CT-26-402 Clifford Thompson Times Square
Time Square is a meditation on lost time and the way it slips quietly from view. Each work draws the eye inward, toward a centre where time feels like it’s fading away. The repetitive lines are intentional and grounding—painting them brings a sense of calm, allowing me to lose myself in the rhythm. Through this process, the noise of the outside world dissolves, and what remains is a quiet space where time becomes soft, slow, and suspended.
DETAILS
- Acrylic on Canvas
- Dimensions: 180 x 198 cm
- Cat No. CT-26-402
ARTIST
Clifford belongs to the Kaytetye language group, his mother’s country is Karlu Karlu (Devil’s Marbles) and his father’s country is Jarrah Jarrah. He was brought up in Ali Curang and his interest in art began as a boy at school doing chalk drawings on small blackboards. Clifford went to school with Fabian and Lindsay and they still live close up in the south fringe camp.
Clifford has a strong work ethic and has worked at the Nyinkka Nyunyu precinct in the gardens and in particular with suicide bead project which makes painted beads for young people at risk. He is currently working with the council fencing and paints for the Tennant Men's Brio. Clifford likes to paint to for its meditative process which assists him to steer away from alcohol and keeps his mind off any problems. Painting is also a way for him to connect with country and remember his ancestors. Clifford preferred medium is acrylic on board. Clifford enjoys creating spacial patterns. His bold and rhythmic work depicts various aspects of life in Tennant and country, mainly from his mother’s country.
ART CENTRE
Located in the heart of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre is a leading Aboriginal cultural centre, museum and art gallery created by and for the Warumungu people of the Barkly Region. Established through the vision and leadership of Warumungu Traditional Owners, the Centre was created to protect a significant sacred site, preserve cultural knowledge, and share the stories, art and history of Warumungu Country with future generations and visitors alike.
Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site connected to the ancestral Nyinkka, the spiny-tailed goanna, an important creation being in Warumungu culture. The Centre's distinctive architecture draws inspiration from the scales and movement of the goanna, embedding this important cultural story into the design of the building itself. Guided by Warumungu Traditional Owners and operated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, Nyinkka Nyunyu remains a place where art, culture, history and community come together—protecting cultural heritage while creating opportunities for learning, connection and cultural exchange.
CT-26-403 Clifford Thompson Times Square
Time Square is a meditation on lost time and the way it slips quietly from view. Each work draws the eye inward, toward a centre where time feels like it’s fading away. The repetitive lines are intentional and grounding—painting them brings a sense of calm, allowing me to lose myself in the rhythm. Through this process, the noise of the outside world dissolves, and what remains is a quiet space where time becomes soft, slow, and suspended.
DETAILS
- Acrylic on Canvas
- Dimensions: 135 x 205 cm
- Cat No. CT-26-403
ARTIST
Clifford belongs to the Kaytetye language group, his mother’s country is Karlu Karlu (Devil’s Marbles) and his father’s country is Jarrah Jarrah. He was brought up in Ali Curang and his interest in art began as a boy at school doing chalk drawings on small blackboards. Clifford went to school with Fabian and Lindsay and they still live close up in the south fringe camp.
Clifford has a strong work ethic and has worked at the Nyinkka Nyunyu precinct in the gardens and in particular with suicide bead project which makes painted beads for young people at risk. He is currently working with the council fencing and paints for the Tennant Men's Brio. Clifford likes to paint to for its meditative process which assists him to steer away from alcohol and keeps his mind off any problems. Painting is also a way for him to connect with country and remember his ancestors. Clifford preferred medium is acrylic on board. Clifford enjoys creating spacial patterns. His bold and rhythmic work depicts various aspects of life in Tennant and country, mainly from his mother’s country.
ART CENTRE
Located in the heart of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre is a leading Aboriginal cultural centre, museum and art gallery created by and for the Warumungu people of the Barkly Region. Established through the vision and leadership of Warumungu Traditional Owners, the Centre was created to protect a significant sacred site, preserve cultural knowledge, and share the stories, art and history of Warumungu Country with future generations and visitors alike.
Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site connected to the ancestral Nyinkka, the spiny-tailed goanna, an important creation being in Warumungu culture. The Centre's distinctive architecture draws inspiration from the scales and movement of the goanna, embedding this important cultural story into the design of the building itself. Guided by Warumungu Traditional Owners and operated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, Nyinkka Nyunyu remains a place where art, culture, history and community come together—protecting cultural heritage while creating opportunities for learning, connection and cultural exchange.
CT-26-410 Clifford Thompson Times Square
Time Square is a meditation on lost time and the way it slips quietly from view. Each work draws the eye inward, toward a centre where time feels like it’s fading away. The repetitive lines are intentional and grounding—painting them brings a sense of calm, allowing me to lose myself in the rhythm. Through this process, the noise of the outside world dissolves, and what remains is a quiet space where time becomes soft, slow, and suspended.
DETAILS
- Acrylic on Canvas
- Dimensions: 142 x 175 cm
- Cat No. CT-26-410
ARTIST
Clifford belongs to the Kaytetye language group, his mother’s country is Karlu Karlu (Devil’s Marbles) and his father’s country is Jarrah Jarrah. He was brought up in Ali Curang and his interest in art began as a boy at school doing chalk drawings on small blackboards. Clifford went to school with Fabian and Lindsay and they still live close up in the south fringe camp.
Clifford has a strong work ethic and has worked at the Nyinkka Nyunyu precinct in the gardens and in particular with suicide bead project which makes painted beads for young people at risk. He is currently working with the council fencing and paints for the Tennant Men's Brio. Clifford likes to paint to for its meditative process which assists him to steer away from alcohol and keeps his mind off any problems. Painting is also a way for him to connect with country and remember his ancestors. Clifford preferred medium is acrylic on board. Clifford enjoys creating spacial patterns. His bold and rhythmic work depicts various aspects of life in Tennant and country, mainly from his mother’s country.
ART CENTRE
Located in the heart of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre is a leading Aboriginal cultural centre, museum and art gallery created by and for the Warumungu people of the Barkly Region. Established through the vision and leadership of Warumungu Traditional Owners, the Centre was created to protect a significant sacred site, preserve cultural knowledge, and share the stories, art and history of Warumungu Country with future generations and visitors alike.
Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site connected to the ancestral Nyinkka, the spiny-tailed goanna, an important creation being in Warumungu culture. The Centre's distinctive architecture draws inspiration from the scales and movement of the goanna, embedding this important cultural story into the design of the building itself. Guided by Warumungu Traditional Owners and operated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, Nyinkka Nyunyu remains a place where art, culture, history and community come together—protecting cultural heritage while creating opportunities for learning, connection and cultural exchange.
JW-26-453 Joseph Williams Jungurayi Mother's Country
This painting depicts the land of the coolabah trees (Purrurtu), my Mother's Country. It is located just northeast of Tennant Creek, the old Phillip Creek mission. It's watercourse country, water is coming in from every direction.
DETAILS
- Acrylic on acetate paper (found mining plan)
-
Dimensions: 102 x 70cm
-
Cat No. JW-26-453
ARTIST
Joseph Williams Jungarayi (b. 1978) is a Warumungu multimedia artist, master carver, writer, poet and cultural leader based in Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, Australia. He is a founding member of the artist collective Tennant Creek Brio, a dynamic contemporary arts group that emerged in 2016 from an outreach program at the local men’s centre and has since become recognised nationally for its bold and thought-provoking practice.
Williams’ artistic journey began in the mid-1990s as a teenager learning traditional carving techniques from his grandfathers, Nat Warano Williams Jupurrula and Walter Pula Nelson, who taught him “the hard way” with simple tools. Today he combines this cultural inheritance with contemporary tools and ideas to create works that span painting, sculpture, carving, poetry, performance, installation and film.
His visual practice reflects deep cultural knowledge, drawing inspiration from his Warumungu and Croatian heritages and engaging with themes of identity, Country and ancestral memory. Williams has produced painted works on found materials, reclaiming mining maps and archival imagery to assert cultural presence, and has explored figurative realism in portraits that honour Warumungu ancestors. As an emerging cultural leader, Williams serves on the board of Desart and as a director of the Papulu Apparr-Kari Language and Cultural Centre. He is also one of the last remaining fluent speakers of the Warumungu language in Tennant Creek and often contributes as a community spokesperson and ceremonial singer.
Williams’ work has been exhibited widely, including participation in the 2020 Biennale of Sydney, shows at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA), Darwin and Alice Springs galleries, Croatia House (Sydney) and the Vincent Lingiari Art Award. His multifaceted practice continues to bridge traditional cultural expression with contemporary artistic discourse, embodying both personal and collective histories.
ART CENTRE
Located in the heart of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre is a leading Aboriginal cultural centre, museum and art gallery created by and for the Warumungu people of the Barkly Region. Established through the vision and leadership of Warumungu Traditional Owners, the Centre was created to protect a significant sacred site, preserve cultural knowledge, and share the stories, art and history of Warumungu Country with future generations and visitors alike.
Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site connected to the ancestral Nyinkka, the spiny-tailed goanna, an important creation being in Warumungu culture. The Centre's distinctive architecture draws inspiration from the scales and movement of the goanna, embedding this important cultural story into the design of the building itself. Guided by Warumungu Traditional Owners and operated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, Nyinkka Nyunyu remains a place where art, culture, history and community come together—protecting cultural heritage while creating opportunities for learning, connection and cultural exchange.
26-193 Joseph Williams Jungurayi Butterfly Women at the Waterhole
DETAILS
- Acrylic on acetate paper (found mining plan)
-
Dimensions: 69.5 x 104 cm
-
Cat No. 26-193
ARTIST
Joseph Williams Jungarayi (b. 1978) is a Warumungu multimedia artist, master carver, writer, poet and cultural leader based in Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, Australia. He is a founding member of the artist collective Tennant Creek Brio, a dynamic contemporary arts group that emerged in 2016 from an outreach program at the local men’s centre and has since become recognised nationally for its bold and thought-provoking practice.
Williams’ artistic journey began in the mid-1990s as a teenager learning traditional carving techniques from his grandfathers, Nat Warano Williams Jupurrula and Walter Pula Nelson, who taught him “the hard way” with simple tools. Today he combines this cultural inheritance with contemporary tools and ideas to create works that span painting, sculpture, carving, poetry, performance, installation and film.
His visual practice reflects deep cultural knowledge, drawing inspiration from his Warumungu and Croatian heritages and engaging with themes of identity, Country and ancestral memory. Williams has produced painted works on found materials, reclaiming mining maps and archival imagery to assert cultural presence, and has explored figurative realism in portraits that honour Warumungu ancestors. As an emerging cultural leader, Williams serves on the board of Desart and as a director of the Papulu Apparr-Kari Language and Cultural Centre. He is also one of the last remaining fluent speakers of the Warumungu language in Tennant Creek and often contributes as a community spokesperson and ceremonial singer.
Williams’ work has been exhibited widely, including participation in the 2020 Biennale of Sydney, shows at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA), Darwin and Alice Springs galleries, Croatia House (Sydney) and the Vincent Lingiari Art Award. His multifaceted practice continues to bridge traditional cultural expression with contemporary artistic discourse, embodying both personal and collective histories.
ART CENTRE
Located in the heart of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre is a leading Aboriginal cultural centre, museum and art gallery created by and for the Warumungu people of the Barkly Region. Established through the vision and leadership of Warumungu Traditional Owners, the Centre was created to protect a significant sacred site, preserve cultural knowledge, and share the stories, art and history of Warumungu Country with future generations and visitors alike.
Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site connected to the ancestral Nyinkka, the spiny-tailed goanna, an important creation being in Warumungu culture. The Centre's distinctive architecture draws inspiration from the scales and movement of the goanna, embedding this important cultural story into the design of the building itself. Guided by Warumungu Traditional Owners and operated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, Nyinkka Nyunyu remains a place where art, culture, history and community come together—protecting cultural heritage while creating opportunities for learning, connection and cultural exchange.
JW-26-5 Joseph Williams Jungurayi Snake Travelling Across Country
DETAILS
- Acrylic on acetate paper (found mining plan)
-
Dimensions: 84 x 64cm
-
Cat No. JW-26-5
ARTIST
Joseph Williams Jungarayi (b. 1978) is a Warumungu multimedia artist, master carver, writer, poet and cultural leader based in Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, Australia. He is a founding member of the artist collective Tennant Creek Brio, a dynamic contemporary arts group that emerged in 2016 from an outreach program at the local men’s centre and has since become recognised nationally for its bold and thought-provoking practice.
Williams’ artistic journey began in the mid-1990s as a teenager learning traditional carving techniques from his grandfathers, Nat Warano Williams Jupurrula and Walter Pula Nelson, who taught him “the hard way” with simple tools. Today he combines this cultural inheritance with contemporary tools and ideas to create works that span painting, sculpture, carving, poetry, performance, installation and film.
His visual practice reflects deep cultural knowledge, drawing inspiration from his Warumungu and Croatian heritages and engaging with themes of identity, Country and ancestral memory. Williams has produced painted works on found materials, reclaiming mining maps and archival imagery to assert cultural presence, and has explored figurative realism in portraits that honour Warumungu ancestors. As an emerging cultural leader, Williams serves on the board of Desart and as a director of the Papulu Apparr-Kari Language and Cultural Centre. He is also one of the last remaining fluent speakers of the Warumungu language in Tennant Creek and often contributes as a community spokesperson and ceremonial singer.
Williams’ work has been exhibited widely, including participation in the 2020 Biennale of Sydney, shows at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA), Darwin and Alice Springs galleries, Croatia House (Sydney) and the Vincent Lingiari Art Award. His multifaceted practice continues to bridge traditional cultural expression with contemporary artistic discourse, embodying both personal and collective histories.
ART CENTRE
Located in the heart of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre is a leading Aboriginal cultural centre, museum and art gallery created by and for the Warumungu people of the Barkly Region. Established through the vision and leadership of Warumungu Traditional Owners, the Centre was created to protect a significant sacred site, preserve cultural knowledge, and share the stories, art and history of Warumungu Country with future generations and visitors alike.
Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site connected to the ancestral Nyinkka, the spiny-tailed goanna, an important creation being in Warumungu culture. The Centre's distinctive architecture draws inspiration from the scales and movement of the goanna, embedding this important cultural story into the design of the building itself. Guided by Warumungu Traditional Owners and operated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, Nyinkka Nyunyu remains a place where art, culture, history and community come together—protecting cultural heritage while creating opportunities for learning, connection and cultural exchange.
26-184 Joseph Williams Jungurayi Manu (Country)
DETAILS
- Acrylic on acetate paper (found mining plan)
-
Dimensions: 88 x 60cm
-
Cat No. 26-184
ARTIST
Joseph Williams Jungarayi (b. 1978) is a Warumungu multimedia artist, master carver, writer, poet and cultural leader based in Tennant Creek, Northern Territory, Australia. He is a founding member of the artist collective Tennant Creek Brio, a dynamic contemporary arts group that emerged in 2016 from an outreach program at the local men’s centre and has since become recognised nationally for its bold and thought-provoking practice.
Williams’ artistic journey began in the mid-1990s as a teenager learning traditional carving techniques from his grandfathers, Nat Warano Williams Jupurrula and Walter Pula Nelson, who taught him “the hard way” with simple tools. Today he combines this cultural inheritance with contemporary tools and ideas to create works that span painting, sculpture, carving, poetry, performance, installation and film.
His visual practice reflects deep cultural knowledge, drawing inspiration from his Warumungu and Croatian heritages and engaging with themes of identity, Country and ancestral memory. Williams has produced painted works on found materials, reclaiming mining maps and archival imagery to assert cultural presence, and has explored figurative realism in portraits that honour Warumungu ancestors. As an emerging cultural leader, Williams serves on the board of Desart and as a director of the Papulu Apparr-Kari Language and Cultural Centre. He is also one of the last remaining fluent speakers of the Warumungu language in Tennant Creek and often contributes as a community spokesperson and ceremonial singer.
Williams’ work has been exhibited widely, including participation in the 2020 Biennale of Sydney, shows at the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art (ACCA), Darwin and Alice Springs galleries, Croatia House (Sydney) and the Vincent Lingiari Art Award. His multifaceted practice continues to bridge traditional cultural expression with contemporary artistic discourse, embodying both personal and collective histories.
ART CENTRE
Located in the heart of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre is a leading Aboriginal cultural centre, museum and art gallery created by and for the Warumungu people of the Barkly Region. Established through the vision and leadership of Warumungu Traditional Owners, the Centre was created to protect a significant sacred site, preserve cultural knowledge, and share the stories, art and history of Warumungu Country with future generations and visitors alike.
Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site connected to the ancestral Nyinkka, the spiny-tailed goanna, an important creation being in Warumungu culture. The Centre's distinctive architecture draws inspiration from the scales and movement of the goanna, embedding this important cultural story into the design of the building itself. Guided by Warumungu Traditional Owners and operated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, Nyinkka Nyunyu remains a place where art, culture, history and community come together—protecting cultural heritage while creating opportunities for learning, connection and cultural exchange.
CT-26-431 Clifford Thompson Untitled
DETAILS
- Found object, enamel and acrylic paint
-
Dimensions: 920 x 1010mm
-
Cat No. CT-26-431
ARTIST
Clifford Thompson belongs to the Kaytetye language group, his mother’s country is Karlu Karlu (Devil’s Marbles) and his father’s country is Jarrah Jarrah. He was brought up in Ali Curang and his interest in art began as a boy at school doing chalk drawings on small blackboards. Clifford went to school with Fabian and Lindsay and they still live close up in the south fringe camp. Clifford has a strong work ethic and has worked at the Nyinkka Nyunyu precinct in the gardens and in particular with suicide bead project which makes painted beads for young people at risk. He is currently working with the council fencing and paints for the Tennant Men's Brio. Clifford likes to paint to for its meditative process which assists him to steer away from alcohol and keeps his mind off any problems. Painting is also a way for him to connect with country and remember his ancestors. Clifford preferred medium is acrylic on board. Clifford enjoys creating spacial patterns. His bold and rhythmic work depicts various aspects of life in Tennant and country, mainly from his mother’s country.
ART CENTRE
Located in the heart of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre is a leading Aboriginal cultural centre, museum and art gallery created by and for the Warumungu people of the Barkly Region. Established through the vision and leadership of Warumungu Traditional Owners, the Centre was created to protect a significant sacred site, preserve cultural knowledge, and share the stories, art and history of Warumungu Country with future generations and visitors alike.
Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site connected to the ancestral Nyinkka, the spiny-tailed goanna, an important creation being in Warumungu culture. The Centre's distinctive architecture draws inspiration from the scales and movement of the goanna, embedding this important cultural story into the design of the building itself. Guided by Warumungu Traditional Owners and operated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, Nyinkka Nyunyu remains a place where art, culture, history and community come together—protecting cultural heritage while creating opportunities for learning, connection and cultural exchange.
CT-26-430 Clifford Thompson Untitled
DETAILS
- Found object, enamel and acrylic paint
-
Dimensions: 920 x 1010mm
-
Cat No. CT-26-430
ARTIST
Clifford Thompson belongs to the Kaytetye language group, his mother’s country is Karlu Karlu (Devil’s Marbles) and his father’s country is Jarrah Jarrah. He was brought up in Ali Curang and his interest in art began as a boy at school doing chalk drawings on small blackboards. Clifford went to school with Fabian and Lindsay and they still live close up in the south fringe camp. Clifford has a strong work ethic and has worked at the Nyinkka Nyunyu precinct in the gardens and in particular with suicide bead project which makes painted beads for young people at risk. He is currently working with the council fencing and paints for the Tennant Men's Brio. Clifford likes to paint to for its meditative process which assists him to steer away from alcohol and keeps his mind off any problems. Painting is also a way for him to connect with country and remember his ancestors. Clifford preferred medium is acrylic on board. Clifford enjoys creating spacial patterns. His bold and rhythmic work depicts various aspects of life in Tennant and country, mainly from his mother’s country.
ART CENTRE
Located in the heart of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre is a leading Aboriginal cultural centre, museum and art gallery created by and for the Warumungu people of the Barkly Region. Established through the vision and leadership of Warumungu Traditional Owners, the Centre was created to protect a significant sacred site, preserve cultural knowledge, and share the stories, art and history of Warumungu Country with future generations and visitors alike.
Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site connected to the ancestral Nyinkka, the spiny-tailed goanna, an important creation being in Warumungu culture. The Centre's distinctive architecture draws inspiration from the scales and movement of the goanna, embedding this important cultural story into the design of the building itself. Guided by Warumungu Traditional Owners and operated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, Nyinkka Nyunyu remains a place where art, culture, history and community come together—protecting cultural heritage while creating opportunities for learning, connection and cultural exchange.
CT-26-429 Clifford Thompson Light Years
DETAILS
- Found object, enamel and acrylic paint
-
Dimensions: 125 x 150 cm
-
Cat No. CT-26-429
ARTIST
Clifford Thompson belongs to the Kaytetye language group, his mother’s country is Karlu Karlu (Devil’s Marbles) and his father’s country is Jarrah Jarrah. He was brought up in Ali Curang and his interest in art began as a boy at school doing chalk drawings on small blackboards. Clifford went to school with Fabian and Lindsay and they still live close up in the south fringe camp. Clifford has a strong work ethic and has worked at the Nyinkka Nyunyu precinct in the gardens and in particular with suicide bead project which makes painted beads for young people at risk. He is currently working with the council fencing and paints for the Tennant Men's Brio. Clifford likes to paint to for its meditative process which assists him to steer away from alcohol and keeps his mind off any problems. Painting is also a way for him to connect with country and remember his ancestors. Clifford preferred medium is acrylic on board. Clifford enjoys creating spacial patterns. His bold and rhythmic work depicts various aspects of life in Tennant and country, mainly from his mother’s country.
ART CENTRE
Located in the heart of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre is a leading Aboriginal cultural centre, museum and art gallery created by and for the Warumungu people of the Barkly Region. Established through the vision and leadership of Warumungu Traditional Owners, the Centre was created to protect a significant sacred site, preserve cultural knowledge, and share the stories, art and history of Warumungu Country with future generations and visitors alike.
Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site connected to the ancestral Nyinkka, the spiny-tailed goanna, an important creation being in Warumungu culture. The Centre's distinctive architecture draws inspiration from the scales and movement of the goanna, embedding this important cultural story into the design of the building itself. Guided by Warumungu Traditional Owners and operated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, Nyinkka Nyunyu remains a place where art, culture, history and community come together—protecting cultural heritage while creating opportunities for learning, connection and cultural exchange.
SW-26-408 Simon Wilson Stand up for Country 2
DETAILS
- Mixed Media
-
Dimensions: 175 x 127 cm
-
Cat No. SW-26-408
ARTIST
Simon is from the Kaytetye language group. He developed an interest in art at the age of 14 whilst still at School. Simon has at once an introspective and serious engagement with aesthetics and a detachment that allows him to pursue action for its own sake. His work is performative whether bold meditative. His art is pretty explorative and raw he is finding his own language in the Brio. He enjoys experimenting with different materials such as found objects and focusing on the accidental and consequences.
ART CENTRE
Located in the heart of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre is a leading Aboriginal cultural centre, museum and art gallery created by and for the Warumungu people of the Barkly Region. Established through the vision and leadership of Warumungu Traditional Owners, the Centre was created to protect a significant sacred site, preserve cultural knowledge, and share the stories, art and history of Warumungu Country with future generations and visitors alike.
Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site connected to the ancestral Nyinkka, the spiny-tailed goanna, an important creation being in Warumungu culture. The Centre's distinctive architecture draws inspiration from the scales and movement of the goanna, embedding this important cultural story into the design of the building itself. Guided by Warumungu Traditional Owners and operated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, Nyinkka Nyunyu remains a place where art, culture, history and community come together—protecting cultural heritage while creating opportunities for learning, connection and cultural exchange.
SW-26-404 Simon Wilson Stand up for Country 1
DETAILS
- Mixed Media
-
Dimensions: 175 x 127 cm
-
Cat No. SW-26-404
ARTIST
Simon is from the Kaytetye language group. He developed an interest in art at the age of 14 whilst still at School. Simon has at once an introspective and serious engagement with aesthetics and a detachment that allows him to pursue action for its own sake. His work is performative whether bold meditative. His art is pretty explorative and raw he is finding his own language in the Brio. He enjoys experimenting with different materials such as found objects and focusing on the accidental and consequences.
ART CENTRE
Located in the heart of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre is a leading Aboriginal cultural centre, museum and art gallery created by and for the Warumungu people of the Barkly Region. Established through the vision and leadership of Warumungu Traditional Owners, the Centre was created to protect a significant sacred site, preserve cultural knowledge, and share the stories, art and history of Warumungu Country with future generations and visitors alike.
Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site connected to the ancestral Nyinkka, the spiny-tailed goanna, an important creation being in Warumungu culture. The Centre's distinctive architecture draws inspiration from the scales and movement of the goanna, embedding this important cultural story into the design of the building itself. Guided by Warumungu Traditional Owners and operated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, Nyinkka Nyunyu remains a place where art, culture, history and community come together—protecting cultural heritage while creating opportunities for learning, connection and cultural exchange.
189-20 Marcus Camphoo Shadow Boundaries
DETAILS
- Outstanding
-
Dimensions: 76 x 112 cm
-
Cat No. 189-20
ARTIST
Marcus Camphoo is a Alywarra man, his involvement with the mens’ therapy art sessions gave him joy and increased confidence. Marcus has a certain grace and otherworldly quality that shines through in his total commitment and freedom to the work of exploring nuances of the grid. From the beginning it was clear Marcus has a natural affinity towards large gestural and bold abstraction of ancestral markings. The best of them resonate like portals to another dimension. He is the youngest member of the group and has a delightful sensitive nature.
ART CENTRE
Located in the heart of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre is a leading Aboriginal cultural centre, museum and art gallery created by and for the Warumungu people of the Barkly Region. Established through the vision and leadership of Warumungu Traditional Owners, the Centre was created to protect a significant sacred site, preserve cultural knowledge, and share the stories, art and history of Warumungu Country with future generations and visitors alike.
Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site connected to the ancestral Nyinkka, the spiny-tailed goanna, an important creation being in Warumungu culture. The Centre's distinctive architecture draws inspiration from the scales and movement of the goanna, embedding this important cultural story into the design of the building itself. Guided by Warumungu Traditional Owners and operated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, Nyinkka Nyunyu remains a place where art, culture, history and community come together—protecting cultural heritage while creating opportunities for learning, connection and cultural exchange.
412-21 Marcus Camphoo Untitled, 2021
DETAILS
- Acrylic on Linen
-
Dimensions: 80 x 60 cm
-
Cat No. 412-21
ARTIST
Marcus Camphoo is a Alywarra man, his involvement with the mens’ therapy art sessions gave him joy and increased confidence. Marcus has a certain grace and otherworldly quality that shines through in his total commitment and freedom to the work of exploring nuances of the grid. From the beginning it was clear Marcus has a natural affinity towards large gestural and bold abstraction of ancestral markings. The best of them resonate like portals to another dimension. He is the youngest member of the group and has a delightful sensitive nature.
ART CENTRE
Located in the heart of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre is a leading Aboriginal cultural centre, museum and art gallery created by and for the Warumungu people of the Barkly Region. Established through the vision and leadership of Warumungu Traditional Owners, the Centre was created to protect a significant sacred site, preserve cultural knowledge, and share the stories, art and history of Warumungu Country with future generations and visitors alike.
Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site connected to the ancestral Nyinkka, the spiny-tailed goanna, an important creation being in Warumungu culture. The Centre's distinctive architecture draws inspiration from the scales and movement of the goanna, embedding this important cultural story into the design of the building itself. Guided by Warumungu Traditional Owners and operated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, Nyinkka Nyunyu remains a place where art, culture, history and community come together—protecting cultural heritage while creating opportunities for learning, connection and cultural exchange.
MC-26-283 Marcus Camphoo Untitled, 2023
DETAILS
- Mixed Media
-
Dimensions: 109 x 109 cm
-
Cat No. MC-26-283
ARTIST
Marcus Camphoo is a Alywarra man, his involvement with the mens’ therapy art sessions gave him joy and increased confidence. Marcus has a certain grace and otherworldly quality that shines through in his total commitment and freedom to the work of exploring nuances of the grid. From the beginning it was clear Marcus has a natural affinity towards large gestural and bold abstraction of ancestral markings. The best of them resonate like portals to another dimension. He is the youngest member of the group and has a delightful sensitive nature.
ART CENTRE
Located in the heart of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre is a leading Aboriginal cultural centre, museum and art gallery created by and for the Warumungu people of the Barkly Region. Established through the vision and leadership of Warumungu Traditional Owners, the Centre was created to protect a significant sacred site, preserve cultural knowledge, and share the stories, art and history of Warumungu Country with future generations and visitors alike.
Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site connected to the ancestral Nyinkka, the spiny-tailed goanna, an important creation being in Warumungu culture. The Centre's distinctive architecture draws inspiration from the scales and movement of the goanna, embedding this important cultural story into the design of the building itself. Guided by Warumungu Traditional Owners and operated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, Nyinkka Nyunyu remains a place where art, culture, history and community come together—protecting cultural heritage while creating opportunities for learning, connection and cultural exchange.
156-23 Marcus Camphoo Untitled, 2023
DETAILS
-
Acrylic on Canvas
- Dimensions: 71 x 100 cm
- Cat No. 156-23
ARTIST
Marcus Camphoo is a Alywarra man, his involvement with the mens’ therapy art sessions gave him joy and increased confidence. Marcus has a certain grace and otherworldly quality that shines through in his total commitment and freedom to the work of exploring nuances of the grid. From the beginning it was clear Marcus has a natural affinity towards large gestural and bold abstraction of ancestral markings. The best of them resonate like portals to another dimension. He is the youngest member of the group and has a delightful sensitive nature.
ART CENTRE
Located in the heart of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre is a leading Aboriginal cultural centre, museum and art gallery created by and for the Warumungu people of the Barkly Region. Established through the vision and leadership of Warumungu Traditional Owners, the Centre was created to protect a significant sacred site, preserve cultural knowledge, and share the stories, art and history of Warumungu Country with future generations and visitors alike.
Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site connected to the ancestral Nyinkka, the spiny-tailed goanna, an important creation being in Warumungu culture. The Centre's distinctive architecture draws inspiration from the scales and movement of the goanna, embedding this important cultural story into the design of the building itself. Guided by Warumungu Traditional Owners and operated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, Nyinkka Nyunyu remains a place where art, culture, history and community come together—protecting cultural heritage while creating opportunities for learning, connection and cultural exchange.
The Tennant Creek Brio is a dynamic collective of Aboriginal artists based in Tennant Creek whose work has become some of the most distinctive and experimental to emerge from Central Australia in recent years.
The group began in 2016 as an art therapy and outreach initiative established by Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corporation, bringing together a group of Aboriginal men from across the Tennant Creek community. The participants — a mix of cultural leaders, artists and men from the town camps — began meeting regularly to paint, share stories and explore creative expression. Over time, the group evolved into a powerful collaborative collective known as the Tennant Creek Brio.
The loveable young fish in love with the angry female fish
DETAILS
- Enamel and Mixed media on Masonite
- Dimensions: 109 x 109 cm
- Cat No. 130-20
ARTIST
Clifford Thompson belongs to the Kaytetye language group, his mother’s country is Karlu Karlu (Devil’s Marbles) and his father’s country is Jarrah Jarrah. He was brought up in Ali Curang and his interest in art began as a boy at school doing chalk drawings on small blackboards. Clifford went to school with Fabian and Lindsay and they still live close up in the south fringe camp.
Clifford has a strong work ethic and has worked at the Nyinkka Nyunyu precinct in the gardens and in particular with suicide bead project which makes painted beads for young people at risk. He is currently working with the council fencing and paints for the Tennant Men's Brio. Clifford likes to paint to for its meditative process which assists him to steer away from alcohol and keeps his mind off any problems. Painting is also a way for him to connect with country and remember his ancestors. Clifford preferred medium is acrylic on board. Clifford enjoys creating spacial patterns. His bold and rhythmic work depicts various aspects of life in Tennant and country, mainly from his mother’s country.
Fabian H. Brown (b. 10/07/1968) was born in Alice Springs and grew up in Ali Curung as a child. One of his grandfathers witnessed the Coniston massacre in 1928 and took the family away to escape. His parents worked as teacher aides at Ali Curang south of Tennant Creek. It was watching his eldest brother sketching that inspired him to start drawing himself when he 10 years old.
As a child Fabian first went to school in the 1970s at the local community school and developed his drawing skills. By 1979 he headed for Alice Springs and went to Yiara College. In the early 1980s Fabian went bush to learn ‘Aboriginal way’ from his uncles where they imparted important cultural practices and knowledge about the land and caring for country. Later in 1984 as a young man in his 20s he attended Tauondi Aboriginal College in Adelaide whose ethos was to provide education and training for the whole person. This rich experience allowed him to establish friendships with people from many different communities including Tasmania, Queensland, Kalgoorlie and Whyalla.
“I provided plenty of compassion to other artists working with them in Adelaide. Later I started working when I went back to Ali Curang as a community development worker and then I came to Tennant Creek. I was working on canvas on the weekends for friends who I knew in Tennant Creek and working during the week with the manager Mr Ronnie at the Tennant Creek Town Council. When Rupert came to work at the men’s project in 2016 I was the first male artist to work with him. We gathered a group of men and began working together at the men’s centre. There wasn’t much room to do art so we moved to East St. I’m now back working with Nyinkka Nyunyu for the last two years where I am the lead male painter.”
ART CENTRE
Located in the heart of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre is a leading Aboriginal cultural centre, museum and art gallery created by and for the Warumungu people of the Barkly Region. Established through the vision and leadership of Warumungu Traditional Owners, the Centre was created to protect a significant sacred site, preserve cultural knowledge, and share the stories, art and history of Warumungu Country with future generations and visitors alike.
Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site connected to the ancestral Nyinkka, the spiny-tailed goanna, an important creation being in Warumungu culture. The Centre's distinctive architecture draws inspiration from the scales and movement of the goanna, embedding this important cultural story into the design of the building itself. Guided by Warumungu Traditional Owners and operated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, Nyinkka Nyunyu remains a place where art, culture, history and community come together—protecting cultural heritage while creating opportunities for learning, connection and cultural exchange.
LN-26-296 Lindsay Nelson Untitled, 2018
DETAILS
- Enamel and Mixed media on Masonite
- Dimensions: 109 x 109 cm
- Cat No. LN-26-296
ARTIST
Lindsay was born in 1974 grew up at Ali Curang with Fabian. They went to school together and now paint together in the Brio. Lindsay speaks Walpiri his first language and Kaytetye. His country is Jarra Jarra. He initially worked for the Council at Ali Curang in Community Development before settling in Tennant Creek and working with the painting group. Lindsay’s father was an important ceremonial boss in the region and widely respected for his knowledge about Law and country. This is reflected in his sparse and elegant iconic work, the ceremonial language of his forebears.
ART CENTRE
Located in the heart of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre is a leading Aboriginal cultural centre, museum and art gallery created by and for the Warumungu people of the Barkly Region. Established through the vision and leadership of Warumungu Traditional Owners, the Centre was created to protect a significant sacred site, preserve cultural knowledge, and share the stories, art and history of Warumungu Country with future generations and visitors alike.
Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site connected to the ancestral Nyinkka, the spiny-tailed goanna, an important creation being in Warumungu culture. The Centre's distinctive architecture draws inspiration from the scales and movement of the goanna, embedding this important cultural story into the design of the building itself. Guided by Warumungu Traditional Owners and operated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, Nyinkka Nyunyu remains a place where art, culture, history and community come together—protecting cultural heritage while creating opportunities for learning, connection and cultural exchange.
"Target Eye centres on the symbol of the gathering place, expressed through circles painted within one another, like the rings of a tree. These concentric forms represent people coming together – family, community, culture – connected across time and place. For Indigenous people, gathering is vital: it is how knowledge is shared, stories are told, and culture is kept strong. This is why the symbol appears so frequently in my work. Each circle holds presence and memory, reflecting the enduring importance of coming together in cultural ways." – Clifford Thompson
CT-26-311 Clifford Thompson Target Eye
Target Eye centres on the symbol of the gathering place, expressed through circles painted within one another, like the rings of a tree. These concentric forms represent people coming together—family, community, culture—connected across time and place. For Indigenous people, gathering is vital: it is how knowledge is shared, stories are told, and culture is kept strong. This is why the symbol appears so frequently in my work. Each circle holds presence and memory, reflecting the enduring importance of coming together in cultural ways.
DETAILS
- Acrylic on Found Object
- Dimensions: 55 x 55 cm
- Cat No. CT-26-311
ARTIST
Clifford belongs to the Kaytetye language group, his mother’s country is Karlu Karlu (Devil’s Marbles) and his father’s country is Jarrah Jarrah. He was brought up in Ali Curang and his interest in art began as a boy at school doing chalk drawings on small blackboards. Clifford went to school with Fabian and Lindsay and they still live close up in the south fringe camp.
Clifford has a strong work ethic and has worked at the Nyinkka Nyunyu precinct in the gardens and in particular with suicide bead project which makes painted beads for young people at risk. He is currently working with the council fencing and paints for the Tennant Men's Brio. Clifford likes to paint to for its meditative process which assists him to steer away from alcohol and keeps his mind off any problems. Painting is also a way for him to connect with country and remember his ancestors. Clifford preferred medium is acrylic on board. Clifford enjoys creating spacial patterns. His bold and rhythmic work depicts various aspects of life in Tennant and country, mainly from his mother’s country.
ART CENTRE
Located in the heart of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre is a leading Aboriginal cultural centre, museum and art gallery created by and for the Warumungu people of the Barkly Region. Established through the vision and leadership of Warumungu Traditional Owners, the Centre was created to protect a significant sacred site, preserve cultural knowledge, and share the stories, art and history of Warumungu Country with future generations and visitors alike.
Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site connected to the ancestral Nyinkka, the spiny-tailed goanna, an important creation being in Warumungu culture. The Centre's distinctive architecture draws inspiration from the scales and movement of the goanna, embedding this important cultural story into the design of the building itself. Guided by Warumungu Traditional Owners and operated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, Nyinkka Nyunyu remains a place where art, culture, history and community come together—protecting cultural heritage while creating opportunities for learning, connection and cultural exchange.
CT-26-309 Clifford Thompson Target Eye
Target Eye centres on the symbol of the gathering place, expressed through circles painted within one another, like the rings of a tree. These concentric forms represent people coming together—family, community, culture—connected across time and place. For Indigenous people, gathering is vital: it is how knowledge is shared, stories are told, and culture is kept strong. This is why the symbol appears so frequently in my work. Each circle holds presence and memory, reflecting the enduring importance of coming together in cultural ways.
DETAILS
- Acrylic on Found Object
- Dimensions: 55 x 55 cm
- Cat No. CT-26-309
ARTIST
Clifford belongs to the Kaytetye language group, his mother’s country is Karlu Karlu (Devil’s Marbles) and his father’s country is Jarrah Jarrah. He was brought up in Ali Curang and his interest in art began as a boy at school doing chalk drawings on small blackboards. Clifford went to school with Fabian and Lindsay and they still live close up in the south fringe camp.
Clifford has a strong work ethic and has worked at the Nyinkka Nyunyu precinct in the gardens and in particular with suicide bead project which makes painted beads for young people at risk. He is currently working with the council fencing and paints for the Tennant Men's Brio. Clifford likes to paint to for its meditative process which assists him to steer away from alcohol and keeps his mind off any problems. Painting is also a way for him to connect with country and remember his ancestors. Clifford preferred medium is acrylic on board. Clifford enjoys creating spacial patterns. His bold and rhythmic work depicts various aspects of life in Tennant and country, mainly from his mother’s country.
ART CENTRE
Located in the heart of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre is a leading Aboriginal cultural centre, museum and art gallery created by and for the Warumungu people of the Barkly Region. Established through the vision and leadership of Warumungu Traditional Owners, the Centre was created to protect a significant sacred site, preserve cultural knowledge, and share the stories, art and history of Warumungu Country with future generations and visitors alike.
Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site connected to the ancestral Nyinkka, the spiny-tailed goanna, an important creation being in Warumungu culture. The Centre's distinctive architecture draws inspiration from the scales and movement of the goanna, embedding this important cultural story into the design of the building itself. Guided by Warumungu Traditional Owners and operated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, Nyinkka Nyunyu remains a place where art, culture, history and community come together—protecting cultural heritage while creating opportunities for learning, connection and cultural exchange.
27-25 Clifford Thompson Untitled, 2025
Those gas pipe signs they’re really for protest. Fracking. My aim is not to cover the words too, leave some of the words. If I cover the whole lot, they wouldn’t know what it is. That’s my aim, that’s for fracking. It not only happens here, it happens in Canada too. Those Indigenous people they fight it too, the fracking.
DETAILS
- found object, enamel and acrylic paint
- Dimensions: 47 x 45 x 6.5 cm
- Cat No. 27-25
ARTIST
Clifford belongs to the Kaytetye language group, his mother’s country is Karlu Karlu (Devil’s Marbles) and his father’s country is Jarrah Jarrah. He was brought up in Ali Curang and his interest in art began as a boy at school doing chalk drawings on small blackboards. Clifford went to school with Fabian and Lindsay and they still live close up in the south fringe camp.
Clifford has a strong work ethic and has worked at the Nyinkka Nyunyu precinct in the gardens and in particular with suicide bead project which makes painted beads for young people at risk. He is currently working with the council fencing and paints for the Tennant Men's Brio. Clifford likes to paint to for its meditative process which assists him to steer away from alcohol and keeps his mind off any problems. Painting is also a way for him to connect with country and remember his ancestors. Clifford preferred medium is acrylic on board. Clifford enjoys creating spacial patterns. His bold and rhythmic work depicts various aspects of life in Tennant and country, mainly from his mother’s country.
ART CENTRE
Located in the heart of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre is a leading Aboriginal cultural centre, museum and art gallery created by and for the Warumungu people of the Barkly Region. Established through the vision and leadership of Warumungu Traditional Owners, the Centre was created to protect a significant sacred site, preserve cultural knowledge, and share the stories, art and history of Warumungu Country with future generations and visitors alike.
Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site connected to the ancestral Nyinkka, the spiny-tailed goanna, an important creation being in Warumungu culture. The Centre's distinctive architecture draws inspiration from the scales and movement of the goanna, embedding this important cultural story into the design of the building itself. Guided by Warumungu Traditional Owners and operated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, Nyinkka Nyunyu remains a place where art, culture, history and community come together—protecting cultural heritage while creating opportunities for learning, connection and cultural exchange.
25-25 Clifford Thompson Untitled
DETAILS
- Found object, enamel and acrylic paint
-
Dimensions: 50 x 46 x 6.5 cm
-
Cat No. 25-25
ARTIST
Clifford Thompson belongs to the Kaytetye language group, his mother’s country is Karlu Karlu (Devil’s Marbles) and his father’s country is Jarrah Jarrah. He was brought up in Ali Curang and his interest in art began as a boy at school doing chalk drawings on small blackboards. Clifford went to school with Fabian and Lindsay and they still live close up in the south fringe camp. Clifford has a strong work ethic and has worked at the Nyinkka Nyunyu precinct in the gardens and in particular with suicide bead project which makes painted beads for young people at risk. He is currently working with the council fencing and paints for the Tennant Men's Brio. Clifford likes to paint to for its meditative process which assists him to steer away from alcohol and keeps his mind off any problems. Painting is also a way for him to connect with country and remember his ancestors. Clifford preferred medium is acrylic on board. Clifford enjoys creating spacial patterns. His bold and rhythmic work depicts various aspects of life in Tennant and country, mainly from his mother’s country.
ART CENTRE
Located in the heart of Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre is a leading Aboriginal cultural centre, museum and art gallery created by and for the Warumungu people of the Barkly Region. Established through the vision and leadership of Warumungu Traditional Owners, the Centre was created to protect a significant sacred site, preserve cultural knowledge, and share the stories, art and history of Warumungu Country with future generations and visitors alike.
Nyinkka Nyunyu is located beside a sacred site connected to the ancestral Nyinkka, the spiny-tailed goanna, an important creation being in Warumungu culture. The Centre's distinctive architecture draws inspiration from the scales and movement of the goanna, embedding this important cultural story into the design of the building itself. Guided by Warumungu Traditional Owners and operated by Julalikari Council Aboriginal Corporation, Nyinkka Nyunyu remains a place where art, culture, history and community come together—protecting cultural heritage while creating opportunities for learning, connection and cultural exchange.