The Tennant Creek Brio

The Tennant Creek Men’s art program started in 2016 as an Art therapy/outreach program set up by Anyinginyi Health Aboriginal Corp. The group, a mix of fringe dwellers and cultural leaders have continued to work together and often collaboratively, forming an unique and cutting edge artists collective named 'The Tennant Creek Brio'. Their work pushes conventions, drawing on imagery and traditions from the Wirnkarra (Dreaming), the Old Testament and mythic iconography from around the world. Their action paintings and performance represent the enthusiasm and dedication of the collective as they continue to develop a cathartic visual language fuelled by the complexities of life in Tennant Creek.

The Brio Artists include:

Fabian Brown
Rupert Betheras
Marcus Camphoo (Double00)
Simon Wilson
Lindsay Nelson
Clifford Thompson
Mathew Ladd
David Duggie
Joseph Williams
Jimmy Frank

The Brio exhibit a range of experimental video works, as well as their characteristically electrifying multi-media paintings. Many of their works explore the psychological, historical and present influences that shape the lives and identities of Aboriginal men living in Tennant creek, while other works are painterly masterpieces with their own internal narratives of magic, creation and catharsis.

The work of The Brio was recently exhibited in the 2020 Biennale of Sydney on Cockatoo Island and at Artspace gallery in Woolloomooloo.

ABC Arts produced the below video, narrated by Joseph Williams, a member of The TC Brio and our Community Arts and Culture Officer here at Nyinkka Nyunyu. The video not only shows the incredibly successful exhibition at the Biennale of Sydney but encompasses the motivations and aspirations of The TC Brio.