Nicholas Osmond​

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THE SANDOVER HIGHWAY

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Ampilatwatja ( pronounced um-bludder-witch ) is the community that lies at the heart of Alyawarr country on the Sandover Highway. In 1976 the Native Title Act granted Alyawarr families a small plot of land at Honeymoon Bore, from the community of Ampilatwatja evolved. The art centre at Ampilatwatja began in 1999, with a strong focus on Alyawarr lore, resulting in most artists painting Arreth ‘strong bush medicine’.

Ampilatwatja is a community 325km north east of Alice Springs. The community lies on Aherreng country, the land of the Alyawarr people. Ampilatwatja is administered by the Barkly Regional Council and is within the Utopia Aboriginal homeland. Ampilatwatja is surrounded by Amaroo station to the east and south and Elkedra station to the north. ( The actor Jack Thompson jackarooed on Elkedra during the early 1960s.)On which many of the men have worked as stockmen over the years. Many families have connections right along the Sandover Highway, all the way to Lake Nash in Queensland and Murray Downs and Tennant Creek further north. The art centre is at the heart of the community, where mainly women paint bush medicine which contributes to the preservation of traditional culture.

Nick Osmond is currently employed in the Art Centre at Ampilatwatja and this exhibition celebrates the people living & working within that community.

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