Haasts Bluff, Northern Territory

History

The Haasts Bluff community takes its name from the nearby outcrop, given this name in 1872 by the explorer Ernest Giles, after the German-born New Zealand geologist, Julius von Haast.

The locality was established as a Lutheran mission in 1946, and is home to Western Arrernte, Pintupi and Pitjantjatjara people.

The term "Finke River Mission" was initially an alternative name for the Hermannsburg Mission, but this name was later often used to include the settlements at Haasts Bluff, Areyonga and, later, Papunya. It now refers to all Lutheran missionary activity in Central Australia since the first mission was established at Hermannsburg in 1877.

Art

A number of notable Indigenous artists were born, raised, or lived at Haasts Bluff, including Makinti Napanangka, Daisy Jugadai Napaltjarri, Tjunkiya Napaltjarri, Wintjiya Napaltjarri, Eileen Napaltjarri, Nora Andy Napaltjarri, Ada Andy Napaltjarri, Ngoia Pollard Napaltjarri, Molly Jugadai Napaltjarri, Norah Nelson Napaljarri, Doris Bush Nungarrayi, Bill Whiskey Tjapaltjarri, and Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula.

Ikuntji Artists

Ikuntji Artists is a not-for-profit Aboriginal art centre, run by a board of seven Indigenous directors. It was the first art centre established by women in the Western Desert Art Movement, starting out as a women's centre in 1992. with the assistance of Marina Strocchi.

The centre was incorporated as Ikuntji Artists Aboriginal Corporation in 2005, and many of the artists' works are now represented in national and international collections. Around 100 local artists are represented by the centre.

In 2019, Ikuntji artist Eunice Napanangka Jack won the Vincent Lingiari Art Award for her painting titled Kuruyultu, which is the name of her birthplace.

Singer Jessica Mauboy, Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney, and Australian comedian Celeste Barber have worn clothing featuring design by Ikuntji, and Ikuntji art has been displayed in Europe. In September 2022, artists Keturah Zimran and Roseranna Larry travelled to Paris, France, where their designs were being showcased in fashion shows.

A book, Ikuntji Textiles, was launched in September 2022 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia in Sydney.

References

References

1. {{Census 2006 AUS
2. Clune, Frank. (March 1957). "Albert Namatjira, Our great Aboriginal painter". Aborigines Welfare Board, NSW.
3. "Ikuntji (Haasts Bluff)". [[World Vision]] Australia.
4. (17 March 2017). "Finke River Mission – Glossary Term – Northern Territory".
5. (29 October 2018). "About".
6. "Finke River Mission 135th Anniversary".
7. Johnson, Vivien. (2008). "Lives of the Papunya Tula Artists". IAD Press.
8. Birnberg, Margo. (2004). "Aboriginal Artist Dictionary of Biographies: Australian Western, Central Desert and Kimberley Region". J.B. Publishing.
9. "Profile". Cooee Art.
10. (July 2025). "Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula". National Museum of Australia.
11. "About".
12. "Molly Napaltjarri Jugadai". Kate Owen Gallery and Studio.
13. (2008). "Upcoming exhibitions". Ikuntji Fine Art.
14. (9 June 2021). "Ikuntji Artists".
15. Mabin, Saskia. (27 September 2022). "Central Australian artists witness collective's Indigenous designs hitting fashion runways in Europe".
16. Kinnane, Kieran. (5 September 2019). "Vincent Lingiari award: the art of truth-telling".
17. "Ikuntji Textiles – Edited by Chrischona Schmidt".