Iwantja Inma: Song, dance, ceremony
2024
Medium
three-channel video
Measurements
7 min 26 sec
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased with funds donated by Biddy and Chris Van Aanholt and NGV Supporters of First Nations Art, 2025
© Iwantja Arts
Gallery location
Gallery 2
Ground Level, NGV Australia
About this work
During 2020, when the outbreak of Covid-19 sent waves of fear and isolation throughout communities, Indulkana residents spent much of their time watching old VHS recordings of Inma, or ceremonial dance and song. Recorded in the 1970s for the purposes of documentary, these videos had never been seen by a wider audience. The ceremony is an elaborate part of community life which involves storytelling, language, body paint, music and movement. Senior artists Kunmanara (Peter) Mungkuri, Alec Baker and Hughie Cullinan saw the importance of recording Inma, and together initiated the rerecording of the ceremony alongside Angkuna Baker, Maringka Burton, Betty Muffler, as well as multiple generations of Indulkana community members. Iwantja Inma: Song, dance, ceremony marks the first-ever community-led recording and wider public display of these traditions. With both confidence and intimacy, this work asserts the pride, resilience and joy of contemporary Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara culture.
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Indulkana, Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands, South Australia
Accession Number
2025.14
Department
First Nations Australia