In Our Hands

5 September – 14 December 2025

The paintings of In Our Hands: Vision. Legacy. Strength. express what it means to live into a thriving legacy, respecting the stories that came before, the stories being lived now, and the stories that are yet to come. For First Nations Peoples notions of ‘before, now, after’ are all part of a vibrant present, constantly being renewed and reaffirmed through culture and caring for Country. Art, painting and stories are an important part of this renewal and reaffirmation, because even when artists are far from their Country, they can keep the connections strong.

The exhibition also holds space for the current and emerging generations of artists who acknowledge their responsibility to stay strong and carry things forward. Making art with and by hands is a physical enactment of this responsibility: telling of stories, keeping alive connection to Country, and the ongoing strength and continuity of culture.

The art of In Our Hands offers us all a vital reminder that knowledge, community and collective wellbeing is strengthened and maintained when carefully held and then shared, generation to generation. Literally, in our hands.

Artists

Ruby Djikarra Alderton

Kelvin Allen

Cissy Alone

Sophia Alone

Sydney Baumgarten

Willara Barker

Levina Biljabu

Yikartu Bumba

Rylene (Raylene) Button Gordon

Doreen Chapman

Maywokka (Mayiwalku) Chapman

Crystal Gardiner

Zenith Kane Gardiner

Gloria

Rekeshia Goodwin

Olive Joseph

Sally Mack

Mulyatingki (Muljatingi) Marney

Rhys Dhalukmurru McLean

Nyangulya Katie Nalgood

Maisie Ward Nungurrayi

Beryl Ponce

Lynette Rowlands

Philip Simpson

Paul Thomas

Lena Willalang

Mutjalandjal (Dolphins)

Ruby Djikarra Alderton

2023

Acrylic on Canvas

45.5 x 71 cm 23-619

$2,805

Ruby Djikarra Alderton 2023

Acrylic on Canvas

45.5 x 71 cm 23-620

$2,805

$542

Untitled Sophia Alone 2023

Acrylic on Canvas 71 x 61 cm 23-260

$2,667

Untitled Sophia Alone 2023

Acrylic on Canvas 71 x 61 cm 23-259

$2,667

Untitled Sophia Alone 2023

Acrylic on Canvas

30.5 x 30.5 cm 23-338

$542

Ngurra (Home Country, Camp) Maywokka (Mayiwalku) Chapman 2022

Acrylic on Canvas 76 x 101.5 cm

$5,388

Untitled Maywokka (Mayiwalku) Chapman 2022

Untitled Maywokka (Mayiwalku) Chapman

2023

Acrylic on Canvas 51 x 51 cm 23-158

$1,805

Ngurra (Home Country, Camp)

Maywokka (Mayiwalku) Chapman 2024 Acrylic on Canvas

30.5 x 30.5 cm

$625

Ngurra (Home Country, Camp)

Maywokka (Mayiwalku) Chapman

$1,360

Ngurra (Home Country, Camp)

Maywokka (Mayiwalku) Chapman 2023

Acrylic on Canvas 51 x 51 cm

$3,042

Untitled Rekeshia Goodwin

Acrylic on Canvas

76 x 101.5 cm 25-312

$1,942

Acrylic on Canvas

45.5 x 45.5 cm 25-200

$492

$3,888

$4,860

35.5 x 51 cm

35.5 x 35.5 cm 23-906

$250

Acrylic on Canvas

45.5 x 61 cm 21-921

$1,055 Untitled Beryl Ponce 2022 Acrylic on Canvas 45.5 x 76 cm 22-172 $1,277

Seven Sisters

Paul Thomas 2018

Acrylic on Canvas

61 x 91.5 cm 18-1111

$1,763

Healthy Food Team

Paul Thomas 2019

Acrylic on Canvas

61 x 91.5 cm 19-161

$1,763

FORM Building a State of Creativity and Spinifex Hill Studio

For nearly two decades, cultural organisation FORM Building a State of Creativity has worked to support the creative community of Western Australia’s remote Pilbara region. In 2008, realising there was no established support for Aboriginal artists living in the Hedland area, FORM started providing materials, art sessions and mentoring opportunities specifically so that local artists could paint together and develop their practices. This group of artists were the foundation of the collective that now paints at Spinifex Hill Studio, one of Australia’s most dynamic art centres, and the only Aboriginal art collective in the wider Hedland area.

In 2014, with the support of Principal Partner BHP, FORM established the Studio’s permanent home in South Hedland. This is essentially FORM’s base in the Pilbara, and the Studio’s Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal support and management personnel are part of the FORM team. From Monday to Friday the Studio opens to facilitate the practices of a core group of around twenty artists daily, however around a hundred artists are associated with the Studio

and will paint there when in town. With a focus on acrylic painting, artists are given professional support in the preparation, creation and documentation of artwork.

They are also given transport to and from the studio, lunch, and the opportunity to work with studio staff in refining their paintings for exhibitions, awards, markets and other professional opportunities.

Artists regularly participate in major national exhibitions and events, and are represented in national collections including the Art Gallery of South Australia, The Art Gallery of Western Australia, Curtin University, Flinders University Art Museum, the Janet Holmes à Court Collection, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, and the Western Australian Museum.

The aim has been to make the Studio a safe, holistic and dynamic environment for artists, and it has grown into an important cultural and community place for South Hedland and the wider Pilbara region. It is relatively unique in Australia as an urban-

based art centre representing Aboriginal artists from numerous cultural backgrounds and language groups; there is no dominant ‘house style,’ rather the Studio supports an eclectic range of art practices in recognition of the diversity of Indigenous experience.

Many artists have been able to build esteem and pride through their art making, gain confidence to share stories in a culturally appropriate way, travel outside their home region to attend exhibitions and art fairs, and create new income streams for themselves and their families.

Most importantly, the Studio has supported the artists in articulating their culture to audiences around Australia and the world, helping build the reputation of the Pilbara as a dynamic cultural and artistic artmaking region.

Spinifex Hill Studio is an initiative of FORM Building a State of Creativity. The Studio is supported by its Principal Partner BHP, the Federal Government’s Indigenous Visual Arts Industry Support (IVAIS) program, and Pilbara Ports. FORM is supported by the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries Arts Organisation Investment program.

©FORM 2025. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise stated, copyright for imagery and written content in this publication is held by FORM Building a State of Creativity or the individual contributors, where applicable. Every effort has been made to adhere to best practice ICIP protocols.

FORM is a registered trademark owned by FORM Building a State of Creativity Limited.

Spinifex Hill Studio

18 Hedditch Street South Hedland WA 6722

mail@spinifexhillstudio.com.au

@spinifexhillstudio

www.spinifexhillstudio.com.au

FORM Building a State of Creativity

39 Gugeri Street

Claremont WA 6010

www.form.net.au

mail@form.net.au

08 9385 2200

spinifexhillstudio

spinifexhillstudio

spinifexhillstudio.com.au

@formwa form.net.au