A unique exhibition of Aboriginal artists from across the Pilbara has marked 20 years of connecting Western Australians to the stories and spirit of the region with a celebration of culture.
This year's Colours of our Country exhibition, from September 15 to 26 September at Central Park, Boorloo, features 124 artworks by 43 artists, with each piece reflecting a deep connection to Country, culture and community.
The Perth exhibition comes after Colours of our Country's London debut in July, where the works reached new, larger audiences. The art was also on display in Busselton last month.
Yindjibarndi Elder and 2025 artist in residence, Allery Sandy, travelled to London with her signature piece After the Rain and urged young Indigenous artists to be bold about their artwork and message.
"Be strong about who you are, why you paint, and the stories you want to leave behind as a legacy for the young ones coming into the world today," she said.
"I live in a little community called Mingullatharndo and I'm always sitting on the veranda looking at Country as far as I can see.
"After the Rain is my way of saying the beauty is still there – the rain brings new life and growth."
The trip was the 70-year-old's first time overseas, and she and fellow Pilbara artist Lynette Upton embraced the experience.
"It was a joy to see my work displayed internationally alongside the wider Pilbara arts community," Ms Sandy said.
Ms Upton – who has just recently moved to the town of Dongara for a seachange – sold one of her artworks and said it was a thrill to know her art was sitting in someone's home in London.
"It's just surreal to think that something you have created that is reminiscent of the Pilbara is in someone's living room in London," she told National Indigenous Times.
As for the trip itself, sharing the stories and culture of the Pilbara with visitors in the United Kingdom was a real honour, with the pair squeezing in some sightseeing too.
"It was amazing, we did the whole open-roof, double decker bus tour, Big Ben, all the main sights, it was a real eye-opener," Ms Upton said.
Since its launch in 2006, Colours of our Country has sold more than 3,100 artworks, with upwards of $3.4 million going directly to Pilbara artists, art centres and their communities.
Rio Tinto iron ore chief executive Matthew Holcz said Colours of our Country continued to be a special event for Rio Tinto and the WA community.
"For thousands of years, Indigenous people have expressed their deep connection to Country through art and storytelling," he said.
"We're proud to support Pilbara artists, to amplify their voices, celebrate their talent and share their stories with people across Australia and now around the world."
The Boorloo/Perth exhibition is open weekdays from 8am to 4.30pm at Central Park Tower, 152–158 St Georges Terrace, Perth. Artworks are available for purchase at the exhibition and online, with all proceeds going directly to artists, art centres and their communities.
