Lindsay Nelson and Clifford Japiljari Thompson
Clifford Thompson was brought up in Ali Curang. His mother's country is Karlu Karlu (Devil's Marbles) and his father's country is Jarrah Jarrah, he belongs to the Kaytetye language group. Recently, Clifford has worked at the Nyinkka Nyunyu precinct, mainly in the gardens. As well as this, his strong work ethic has been invaluable to the success of Nyinka Nyunyu's suicide bead project, which seeks to engage at risk youth in the community through the therapeutic and healing qualities of art. This interest is reflected in Clifford's own practice, which he enjoys primarily for its meditative qualities, as through painting, he is able to connect with country and remember his ancestors. His preferred medium is acrylic on board, upon which he experiments with mesmerising spatial patterning - his bold and rhythmic line work depicts abstracted aspects of life in Tennant and Country, mainly from his mother's country.
Lindsay Nelson was born in 1974, and grew up in Ali Curang, his home country is Jarra Jarra. Lindsay speaks both Walpiri and Kaytetye. Initially, he worked for the Council at Ali Curang in Community Development before settling in Tennant Creek where he began painting with the Tenant Creek Brio. Nelson's father was an important ceremonial boss in the region and widely respected for his knowledge of Law and country - this is reflected in his sparse and elegant iconography, which draws to a great degree upon the ceremonial language of his forebears.