Too Deadly: Ten Years of Tarnanthi

25 July 2026 - 5 October 2026

Gallery 2.2 | Free

Tarnanthi is a national festival of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, presented by the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA). Since 2015, Tarnanthi has established itself as a national leader in showcasing the nuanced complexity and radical ingenuity of up-to-the-minute contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.

The word ‘tarnanthi’ (pronounced TAR-nan-dee) comes from the language of the Kaurna people, the traditional owners of the Adelaide Plains. It means to “to come forth” or “to appear,” like the rising of the sun – a universal metaphor for new ideas and new beginnings. Tarnanthi champions such new beginnings by providing First Nations artists with opportunities to create significant new work and to extend their practices, encouraging them to dream big.

Through respectful relationships established over many years, Tarnanthi supports and assists Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists as they develop these ambitious new projects of artistic excellence. By touring a selection of significant works from the Festival, regional audiences will have the opportunity to connect with deadly emerging, mid-career and established First Nations artists. The exhibition promises to provide an experience of contemporary First Nations art that is enticing, enriching and enlightening.

Mumu Mike Williams Pitjantjatjara people, South Australia
born Inturjanu between Kenmore Park and Pukatja (Ernabella), Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands, South Australia 1952
died Mparntwe (Alice Springs), Northern Territory 2019

Sammy Dodd Pitjantjatjara/Yankunytjatjara people, South Australia
born Winpiranganyi, South Australia 1946

Tjukurpa Kunpu Mulapa 2016
Place made: Mimili, Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands, South Australia
synthetic polymer paint on canvas mail bags; wood, spinifex resin and kangaroo tendon
121.5 x 75 cm (a), 123 x 73 cm (b), 123 x 2.2 x 2.3 cm (c)

Acquisition through Tarnanthi: Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art supported by BHP 2017Art Gallery of South Australia, Adelaide
© Estate of Kunmanara (Mumu Mike) Williams/Sammy Dodd/Copyright Agency
20173P62(a-c)

Tarnanthi is presented by AGSA in partnership with BHP and with the support of the Government of South Australia.