Two artists recount their intertwining journeys of friendship and resilience in the Central Desert through the medium of animation.
Two Girls From Amoonguna is an exhibition featuring new work by Arrernte and Southern Luritja artist Sally M Nangala Mulda and Western Arrarnta artist Marlene Rubuntja. It recounts their intertwining stories of friendship and resilience in the Central Desert.
Encompassing video, soft sculptures, and paintings, the centerpiece animation, Arrkutja Tharra, Kungka Kutjara, Two Girls, was made in collaboration with Ludo Studio (Bluey, Robin Hood, and The Strange Chores) and is the third Artbank + ACMI Commission.
Sally and Marlene’s practice is representative of Mparntwe (Alice Springs), where they live. Playful, self-referential, and humorous, their work embodies the politics, history, and culture of Mparntwe and its surrounding town camps.
This ACMI Touring exhibition was curated by Jenna Rain Warwick (Luritja).
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government's Visions of Australia program.
Tour slots available 2026 onwards
Curious? Email us: touringinfo@acmi.net.au
Fast Facts
- 60-70 running metres / 150–200 sqm
- 1 projection, Arrkutja Tharra, Kungka Kutjara, Two Girls + equipment
- 6 paintings by Sally M Nungala Mulda
- 12 soft sculptures by Marlene Rubuntja
- Marketing kit and visual identity
- Education kit created by FLENK Collective
Tour Schedule
Yarra Ranges Regional Museum, VIC
16 Dec 2023 – 28 Mar 2024
Yarrawarra Aboriginal Cultural Centre, NSW
11 Apr – 2 Jun 2024
Musuem of Art and Culture, NSW
10 Aug 2024 – 13 Oct 2024
Araluen Arts Centre, NT
1 Nov 2024 – 27 Jan 2025
Hyphen Wodonga, VIC
14 Feb – 11 May 2025
Tamworth Regional Gallery, NSW
14 Jun – 24 Aug 2025
Riddoch Arts and Cultural Centre, SA
6 Sep – 26 Oct 2025
Redcliffe Art Gallery, QLD
29 Nov 2025 – 8 Feb 2026
Gladstone Regional Gallery, QLD
14 Feb – 25 Apr 2026
Salt Water Gallery, WA
8 May – 21 Jun 2026
In the press
Exhibition Review: Two Girls From Amoonguna
17 Jul 2023
"Two Girls From Amoonguna is about pushing through adversity and alchemising it into art that speaks to the spirit and joy of life itself."
★★★★1/2, Alex Garay, ArtsHub
"It’s such a unique and fulfilling project"
Ludo helps tell story of friendship between First Nations artists.
Sean Slatter, IF Magazine
Two Girls From Amoonguna at ACMI
Friendship and resilience in the Central Desert take centre stage in a new animated work by two leading artists from the region.
Broadsheet
Other resources
About Sally M Nangala Mulda
Sally M Nangala Mulda was born in Titjikala in 1957, and currently resides in Abbott’s Town Camp by the Todd River in Mparntwe/Alice Springs. Her figurative paintings of bold fluid movement, layering of colours and cursive descriptive text candidly depict lived experiences within this camp...
About Marlene Rubuntja
Marlene was born in Mparntwe/Alice Springs in 1961, and grew up at Amoonguna community, east of Alice Springs where she went to school. Rubuntja learned to sew at Yirara College, Mparntwe/Alice Springs, however she only began making soft sculptures at Yarrenyty Arltere in 2009...
Making Two Girls from Amoonguna
Get a glimpse at Sally's and Marlene's lives and artistic practice, and learn how they made Two Girls from Amoonguna.
Education Resource
This exhibition kit offers insight into the practice of the artists; a guide to cultural safety and an Acknowledgement of Country; activities for students and teachers for use in the classroom or gallery to connect with the exhibition; and links for further reading and research.
This exhibition kit has been written by Merindah Funnell and Emma Hicks with FLENK Collective and produced in partnership with ACMI.
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