The Parrtijima festival lit up Alice Springs last week with breathtaking art by Aboriginal artists from central Australia.
Parrtijima — A Festival in Light transformed Alice Springs Desert Park into an outdoor gallery of light and sound over 10 nights.
Highlights of the festival included an illumination of the majestic MacDonnell Ranges, which provided a 300-million-year-old natural canvas.
Parrtjima curator and creative director Rhoda Roberts said the event had showcased the oldest continuous culture on earth.
Arrernte artist and Parrtijima Festival Reference Group advisor Aunty Patricia Ansell Dodds said the event helped open people’s eyes to Aboriginal culture.
“Parrtijima helps us – it shows our art, it shows our culture, it shows that it is beautiful and it helps open people’s eyes,” she said.
Parrtjima, a festival in Light, Alice Springs, Australia 2017. James Horan Photography for Tourism NT.
Parrtjima, a festival in Light, Alice Springs, Australia 2017. Pictured is local artist Patricia Ansell Dodds with her artwork from the installation Grounded. September 21, 2017. James Horan Photography for Tourism NT
Parrtjima, a festival in Light, Alice Springs, Australia 2017. James Horan Photography for Tourism NT
Parrtjima, a festival in Light, Alice Springs, Australia 2017. James Horan Photography for Tourism NT
Parrtjima, a festival in Light, Alice Springs, Australia 2017. James Horan Photography for Tourism NT
Parrtjima, a festival in Light, Alice Springs, Australia 2017. James Horan Photography for Tourism NT
Parrtjima, a festival in Light, Alice Springs, Australia 2017. Curator, Rhoda Roberts in front of artwork from Iltja Ntjarra, Many Hands Art Centre. September 21, 2017. James Horan Photography for Tourism NT
Parrtjima, a festival in Light, Alice Springs, Australia 2017. Artist, Mervyn Rubuntja from Iltja Ntjarra, Many Hands Art Centre. September 21, 2017. James Horan Photography for Tourism NT
Reawakening a dark history. Pic from Parrtjima Festival held in Alice Springs this year. James Horan Photography for Tourism NT.