Thea Anamara Perkins is included in Old Days, New Days | Arlta-imankinya, Arlta-errama at Ngununggula, presenting a series of five early portraits of Tangentyere artists made in 2020.
These works capture Nyinta, Doris, Sally, Grace, and Betty with a directness that sits at the foundation of Thea’s practice. In them, portraiture becomes a space of trust and exchange, grounded in long-standing relationships and a shared sense of place. Seen now, they offer a clear insight into the beginnings of her ongoing engagement with memory, community, and the quiet power of observation.
Shown alongside works by Tangentyere and Yarrenyty Arltere artists, the portraits are held within a broader dialogue around the role of women within the family and community. Together, the exhibition acknowledges the daily acts of care, knowledge-sharing, and connection that sustain these networks, with Thea’s early works forming a vital point of connection across generations and practices.