In August, Adelaide Festival Centre's Moving Image Program is exhibiting 'UV Songlines: Illuminating Ancestral Roots' by Colleen Raven Strangways and 'Icarus' by David Foreman on our King William Road digital screens.
These works will be screening until 31 August.
Colleen Raven Strangways, UV Songlines: Illuminating Ancestral Roots, moving image, 5:00
‘As a proud Arabana, Mudbura, Gurindji, and Warlpiri woman, my art is a tribute to the enduring strength and wisdom of First Nations peoples. In UV Songlines: Illuminating Ancestral Roots, I aim to honour our Elders - the knowledge holders whose stories and songlines are the lifeblood of our culture. Through photography, I seek to capture the resilience, spirituality, and beauty that define our communities.
This series features portraits of Aboriginal individuals adorned with UV-reactive body paint, symbolising the sacred songlines that connect us to our ancestors and the land. Under ultraviolet light, these designs come alive, revealing narratives that are often unseen yet deeply felt. The use of UV light serves as a metaphor for the hidden layers of our heritage, illuminating the profound connections that bind us across time and space.
Each image is a collaborative effort, with participants sharing their stories and allowing their bodies to become canvases of cultural expression. Their poses convey strength, dignity, and a deep connection to their heritage. By integrating traditional symbols with contemporary photographic techniques, I strive to create a dialogue between the past and the present, showcasing the dynamic nature of our culture.
UV Songlines is more than an art project; it is a celebration of identity, a reclamation of narrative, and a beacon of cultural pride. Through this work, I hope to inspire reflection, foster understanding, and contribute to the ongoing conversation about the significance of First Nations stories in Australia's collective consciousness.’ Colleen Strangways, 2025
UV Songlines: Illuminating Ancestral Roots is a multi-site exhibition on the Outdoor Media Screens and in the historic Adelaide Railway Station Phone Booths (August-October) and features for SALA Festival (August) and Tarnanthi Festival (17-20 October).
UV Songlines: Illuminating Ancestral Roots is presented with support from Adelaide Festival Centre Foundation.
David Foreman, Icarus, moving image, 4:26 mins
Pt. Augusta stands at the head of Spencer Gulf, a crossroad linking the desert to the north and the country to the west with the populated south. Over time, evolving technologies have been applied to process and transport post-colonial produce through this gateway to southern and eastern markets.
On Nukunu land these giant windmills stand sculptural, their sails catching the wind, yet they remain grounded. Like a large-scale art installation these majestic and repetitive shapes dance endlessly, a choreography with the happenstance of their surroundings. They stand sentinel at this gateway.
David has a professional history in the film industry working as a cinematographer on documentary and drama productions. Since moving to Kangaroo Island, he has involved himself in the active local art community working collaboratively and individually. David has pursued an interest in still and moving image installations and produced documentaries with themes involving art and the environment. Icarus is a continuing exploration of our connection with the South Australian landscape.
Icarus is featured as part of SALA Festival.