Exhibition Insight... Game On
Game On
Coinciding with AFL Gather Round 2026, Game On celebrates the passion, energy, and culture of Australian Rules Football in all its colourful glory! This dynamic exhibition brings together First Nations artists from across the country to explore the essence of the great Aussie game.
From the roar of the crowd to the thrill of a last-minute goal, each artwork captures the movement, emotion, and deep community connection that make footy more than just a sport. Representing a variety of teams, players, and iconic moments, Game On pays tribute to the shared traditions and rivalries that define Australian Rules Football.
Carolyn Kenta of Tjanpi Desert Weavers, Football Player #1 Wati, 2025, hand-dyed raffia, wool, terracotta, 445 × 200 × 260, $880
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ALFONSO PUAUTJIMI (NGARUWANAJIRRI)
Alfonso Puautjimi is a widely exhibited artist well known for his natural ochre works on paper and canvas, and has been painting with the Ngaruwanajirri group since 1997.
The themes of his paintings are drawn from his culture and environment. Images of Tutini [pukumani poles], figures and birds in still life groupings of carvings as seen in the art centre and his imaginative versions of the local landscape including plants, animals and trees, boats, planes and cars are most frequently seen as well as abstract patterns based on Tiwi ceremonial body painting, known as Jilamara.
Alfonso applies natural ochres on to paper and canvas. With bold brush strokes and generous paint application he applies black outlines over broad areas of colour, finishing with another layer of colour. The resulting art has an earthy tactile texture. Recently he has tried etching with great success.
Alfonso has been a continuous presence at the Ngaruwanajirri Art Centre for over two decades and has exhibited extensively since 2002 including solo exhibitions in NSW and Vic.
Alfonso’s work is held in public and private collections including the Charles Darwin University Art Collection, Batchelor Institute of Indigenous Tertiary Education, the Art Gallery of South Australia, Newcastle University Art Collection NSW and the Lam Collection, University of San Antonio, USA.
Alfonso was a finalist in the 2024 Telstra NATSIAA.
Alfonso Puautjimi of Ngaruwanajirri Arts, Tokwampini, tutini amintiya football, 2025, natural ochres on Saunders Waterford paper, 575 × 380, $1,100
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Alfonso Puautjimi of Ngaruwanajirri Arts, XXXX Gold and Hawkes Football, 2025, natural ochres on Saunders Waterford paper, 570 × 380, $1,100
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Alfonso Puautjimi of Ngaruwanajirri Arts, Alfonso (L) and Graham (R) with a football, 2025, natural ochres on Saunders Waterford paper, 580 × 380, $1,100
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DINNY KUNOTH (UTOPIA ARTS)
I was born in 1954 at Utopia Homestead must be or maybe in the bush. We lived half-way bush and half-way station. Working for station life and living bush. When I was 15 or 16, I was working at Waite River Station. Using axes and making yards for nanny goats. Those old yards are still there from when I was young. I’ve looked. Everywhere I was working. Up the north along the soakage's. Across the stations. Branding and mustering cattle. I’ve always worked this way. Using hands and doing my life.
For footy. First one we played was at the station. A long time ago. We didn’t know about the umpire or nothing. No umpire was there to blow a whistle. We didn’t know who the umpire was or what he was saying. Those rules. Those white people schooled us in footy. Old people must have bought a TV in town. Before that we just had bush football. Then I saw those players later, like Adam Goodes, an Aboriginal man playing on T.V in new times. I was sitting here, about 2000, and my partner was doing painting. I was watching her and I thought about an idea. I was sitting there, no carving, then about 2004, I made one football man. A Collingwood player. I showed him to Marc and he said: ‘You should make more of this. A whole team.’ So, I’m keeping on making them.
After watching North Melbourne and Collingwood play big football game at the MCG in Melbourne, I wanted to start painting those teams on canvas. I paint them white fellas first then started painting Bush Football. Old memory, maybe 1986 or 84, in old model Holden, we went that way Papunya, Mount Liebig, Ali Curung, playing and watching that bush footy. Bush Football out here bring all them people together. When they play football it make em' happy ones.
Dinny has been making carvings and paintings since 2005. He started his practice under the guidance of art facilitator Marc Gooch and alongside his wife, Josie Pitjara Kunoth. His process is informed by nature. He sources his materials from the land that surrounds his Homeland and, as much as the forms in the trees can influence his sculptures, he seeks out shapes in nature to fit his ideas. The two always work together. He is careful to work sustainably, always leaving enough behind to carve in ‘a couple of years’ time.’ Dinny’s process is local, as are his subjects. His practice reflects his life, interests and memories as a stockman, footballer, father, and community leader. His work shows a modern experience steeped in an enduring artistic tradition.
Dinny Kunoth, Bush Football, Dockers vs Port Adelaide, 2025, acrylic on linen, 760 × 760, $3,650
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NATASHA NAMATJIRA CARROLL (ERNABELLA ARTS)
Natasha Namatjira Carroll of Ernabella Arts, Football Stories, 2026, acrylic on decommissioned license plate, 370 × 130, $320, Shop Online
Natasha is in the early stages of her artistic career. Her uncle is the internationally renowned artist Pepai Jangala Carroll (dec).
Natasha was born in Hermannsburg, NT and she went to school in Alice Springs. She often tells stories of going fishing and swimming in Hermannsburg. She moved to Ernabella as a young adult to be closer to family, and she now has a young son.
As well as developing her art practise, Natasha is an Arts Worker at Ernabella Arts, and has opportunities to travel to attend events and workshops.
Natasha’s narrative style of painting depicts community life with a quirky spin. She often paints on number plates and creates Toyota-shaped ceramic wall pieces.
EVELYN YOUNG, CHANTELLE MULLADAD, LAUREN BLOOMFIELD, MARGARET BLOOMFIELD, CHERELLE WILLIAMS AND JUNE SMITH (KERINGKE ARTS)
Keringke Art Centre is situated in the community of Ltyentye Apurte in the Central Australian region of the Northern Territory.
The community was named for the stand of bloodwood trees that grow at the foot of hills to the west. Keringke Arts was named after an important and ancient rock-hole nearby that was formed when an ancestor Kangaroo travelled through the country. Several of the Keringke Artists have responsibilities associated with the Keringke Rockhole site.
Keringke Art Centre began with a nine week fabric-painting course back in 1987.
In 1988 the women of Santa Teresa held an exhibition in at Australian Bicentennial Craft Show, the first time an Aborginal group had done so.
By 1989, ATSIC funding had allowed the building of a purpose-built Art Centre. It was named after the Dreaming place of Kathleen Wallace, one of the artists at Santa Teresa. Keringke means ‘Kangaroo Tracks’. It is Kangaroo Dreaming.
The Centre quickly became an influential model for other art projects in the area, and in 1992 a cultural exchange program saw the group exhibiting in New Zealand. Despite widespread funding cuts to Art Centres during the 90’s, Keringke has flourished in recent times and is now a vital component of the area’s cultural, social and economic fabric.
Cherelle Williams of Keringke Arts, Hand painted Sherrin football, 2026, acrylic, leather football, 290 × 170 × 170, $550
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Margaret Bloomfield of Keringke Arts, Hand painted Sherrin football, 2026, acrylic, leather football, 290 × 170 × 170, $550
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IWIRI ARTS
Since its inception in 2021 Iwiṟi Art Studio has rapidly established itself as a highly regarded Studio. Our intention is to create a space for artistic expression that promotes cultural retention, transmission and wellbeing across the generations while also providing Anangu artists with commercial opportunities to produce economic benefit for their family and community.
Mahailia Levai of Iwiri Arts, Football Figurine, 2026, painted ceramic, 130 × 90 × 90, $470
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Mona Lewis of Iwiri Arts, Football, 2026, painted ceramic, 70 × 130 × 60, $200
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CONWAY GINGER (BINDI MWERRE ANTHURRE ARTS)
Hailing from Kaltukatjara (Docker River) and currently based in Mparntwe (Alice Springs), Conway Ginger brings a sense of humour and unfiltered energy to his art practise. Known for dynamic ink and wash works on paper, Conway captures everyday desert life. Through a vibrant use of line, Conway shares his passions, from football to music, and the world around him.
Conway is a passionate football supporter, music lover, and dedicated artist. He draws inspiration from a range of sources – newspapers including Land Rights News, images from books and magazines, his memory and visits back to Docker River. Conway’s work reflects his vibrant sense of humour. The playful compositions and confident lines illustrate life in Central Australia, capturing everyday moments.
Conway is best known for his bold ink and wash works, which stand out for their directness, resonating deeply with viewers. His art’s immediacy and authenticity have earned him significant recognition. Since becoming a member of Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists in 2012, Conway has exhibited extensively in solo and group exhibitions. His work has been featured in esteemed publications and acquired by several public collections.
Conway Ginger of Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Arts, #8, #6, #4, #9, #7, #10, 2025, acrylic paint and ink on paper, 295 × 420, $310
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CAROLYN KENTA, DAISYBELL KULYUTU, IMIYARI(YILPI) ADAMSON, CAROLYN KENTA, YUMINIA KENTA, IMUNA KENTA, TJULYATA KULYURU, NOREEN HEFFERNAN, JACINTA HEFFERNAN (TJANPI DESERT WEAVERS)
Hailing from Kaltukatjara (Docker River) and currently based in Mparntwe (Alice Springs), Conway Ginger brings a sense of humour and unfiltered energy to his art practise. Known for dynamic ink and wash works on paper, Conway captures everyday desert life. Through a vibrant use of line, Conway shares his passions, from football to music, and the world around him.
Conway is a passionate football supporter, music lover, and dedicated artist. He draws inspiration from a range of sources – newspapers including Land Rights News, images from books and magazines, his memory and visits back to Docker River. Conway’s work reflects his vibrant sense of humour. The playful compositions and confident lines illustrate life in Central Australia, capturing everyday moments.
Conway is best known for his bold ink and wash works, which stand out for their directness, resonating deeply with viewers. His art’s immediacy and authenticity have earned him significant recognition. Since becoming a member of Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists in 2012, Conway has exhibited extensively in solo and group exhibitions. His work has been featured in esteemed publications and acquired by several public collections.
Daisybell Kulyuru, Imiyari (Yilpi) adamson, Carolyn Kenta, Yuminia Kenta, Imuna Kenta, Tjulyata Kulyuru, Priscilla Adamson, Noreen Heffernan, Jacinta Heffernan of Tjanpi Desert Weavers, Tjapu-tjapu Inkama! (Play Ball!) - Football, 2025, hand-dyed raffia, wool, steel, 1100 × 110 × 850, $5,190.
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Game On is showing at JamFactory at Seppeltsfield from 28 March until 21 June 2026.
For all sale enquires please email:
Lucy Potter
lucy.potter@jamfactory.com.au
Ph. +61 8410 0727