They Came Like a Tsunami

Past Exhibition
20 October - 11 November 2017
A wide painting of a coastal and desert scene. From the right, boats and English iconograph ride a tidal wave into a red desert, scattered with icons of recent Aboriginal history including a tent embassy, flag, Uluru, Maralinga bomb cloud and treaty sign
A wide painting of a coastal and desert scene. From the right, boats and English iconograph ride a tidal wave into a red desert, scattered with icons of recent Aboriginal history including a tent embassy, flag, Uluru, Maralinga bomb cloud and treaty sign

They Came Like a Tsunami is an exhibition from Ngarrindjeri artist and activist, Sandra Saunders.

When

20 October to 11 November 2017

Access

A champion of Aboriginal rights, she was a vocal leader of the protests over the Hindmarsh Island Bridge. Through her paintings, Saunders communicates historic narratives and continued resistance to colonisation.

ACE Open and Ku Arts are proud to partner in the presentation of work from South Australian Aboriginal Artists at ACE Across project space during TARNANTHI.

 Supported by TARNANTHI: Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art, presented by the Art Gallery of South Australia in partnership with BHP and with support of the Government of South Australia.

Feature Image: ACE Open exhibitions Sandra Saunders, They Came Like a Tsunami, 2017, acrylic and paper on board, 80 x 200 cm. Courtesy the artist. Photo Michelle Warburton

  • A bright painting depicting a beach, with a tsunami wave spilling over onto the land carrying symbolism of the British Invasion.
A bright painting depicting a beach, with a tsunami wave spilling over onto the land carrying symbolism of the British Invasion.

Lead Artists

Sandra Saunders

ACErlu tampinthi, ngadlu Kaurna yartangka inparrinthi. Kaurna miyurna yaitya yarta-mathanya Wama Tarntanyaku. Parnaku yailtya, parnaku tapa purruna, parnaku yarta ngadlurlu tampinthi. Yalaka Kaurna miyurna itu yailtya, tapa purruna, yarta kuma puru martinthi, puru warri-apinthi, puru tangka martulayinthi. Ngadlurlu tampinthi purkana pukinangku, yalaka.

ACE respectfully acknowledges the Kaurna people are the traditional custodians of the Adelaide Plains. We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and relationship with the land. We acknowledge that they are of continuing importance to the Kaurna people living today. We acknowledge Elders past and present.