Revisions: Made by the Warlpiri of Central Australia and Patrick Waterhouse

This groundbreaking body of work challenges colonial narratives and amends historical omissions.

It amplifies the voices of the Warlpiri people, whose stories and traditions have been passed down for generations.

After a successful showing at The Whitby Museum (UK) and Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum (Germany), Burrinja is proud to present this major Australian premiere, curated by Warlukurlangu Artists and Patrick Waterhouse.

_{Main artwork - Nephew. Jinta. Restricted with Pauline Nampijinpa Singleton, 2014-2018}

About the exhibition

Over a period of ten years, groups of Warlpiri artists in Yuendumu and Nyirripi (hundreds of kilometres northwest of Alice Springs) collaborated with internationally acclaimed London-based photographer to revise a collection of maps, flags, photographs, comic illustrations and other archival material.

The body of work emerging from this collaboration questions and amends the assumptions inscribed throughout the old documents. It adds information missing from the historical record, and gives voice to the stories of the original custodians of the land, passed down from generation to generation.

Making Revisions, a documentary showing some of this process, is also be featured in the exhibition.

"The show has no feelings or anger, but is a ‘revision’ of history. They have brought these marvellous curlicues of colour to our vision of this landscape.”

Rebecca Hossack, Founder, Rebecca Hossack Art Gallery, London – The Yorkshire Post 2025 Revisions - Whitby Museum (UK).

Warlukurlangu Art Centre

Established in 1985, Warlukurlangu Artists is one of Central Australia’s oldest and most significant Aboriginal-owned art centres. Located in Yuendumu and Nyirripi, its name means “belonging to fire” in the Warlpiri language. The centre is a vibrant community hub where hundreds of artists, including children, are encouraged to create art, preserving and sharing their culture.

Warlukurlangu has a rich history, including participating in the landmark 1989 Paris exhibition Magiciens de la terre. It continues to support vital cultural projects, such as the Yuendumu Men’s Museum, ensuring Warlpiri heritage and stories are passed to future generations.

Patrick Waterhouse

Patrick Waterhouse (b. 1981, England) explores how histories are constructed and retold. His recent practice is defined by deep, long-term collaboration. Over the last five years, he has worked with Warlpiri communities in Central Australia, sharing archival materials that became sites for artistic response and cultural reclamation. This work rethinks agency in representation.

His recent exhibitions include presentations at the Pannett Gallery, Whitby, UK (2025); Rautenstrauch–Joest Museum Kulturen der Welt, Cologne, Germany (2023); and FotoMuseum, Antwerp (2019). His work is held in major international collections, including the Centre Pompidou and the Guggenheim Museum.

Public Events

Official Opening - Saturday, 25 October 2025, 2pm - Be the first to see this exhibition
Welcome to Country by Stacie Piper (Wurundjeri), a proud Wurundjeri, Dja Dja Wurrung and Ngurai Illum-Wurrung woman. Stacie is a Djirri Djirri Dancer and Educator, and the former Chairperson of the Victorian NAIDOC Committee (2018-2022). She currently holds the position of Curator and Collections at the Victorian Indigenous Research Centre, State Library Victoria.

Opening address by John Kean, independent writer and curator. John was awarded a PhD in Art History at the University of Melbourne in 2023. He is the author of Dot, Circle and Frame: the Making of Papunya Tula Art. He was Art Advisor at Papunya Tula Artists from 1977–1979, the inaugural Exhibition Coordinator at Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, and a Producer at Museum Victoria.

Community Program Day - Sunday 23 November 2025, from 10.30am to 3.30pm
Featuring a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony by Stacie Piper (Wurundjeri) in the presence of Warlpiri artists, Warlukurlangu Artists staff and Patrick Waterhouse.

• Presentation by Warlukurlangu’s Manager, Cecilia Alfonso: 40 Years of Warlukurlangu Artists of Yuendumu
• True Story, a short film screening and Q&A with Patrick Waterhouse, Burrinja Theatre
• Revisions Retold - exhibition tour with Patrick Waterhouse and Warlpiri artists
• Painting workshop with Warlukurlangu artists (all ages)

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