Weapons for the soldier is an exhibition initiated by the young men of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands. The young men invited 15 other Australian artists to exhibit alongside the Anangu artists by responding to the theme of weaponry.

Weapons for the soldier examines the complex and varied responses to themes of weaponry, warfare, and their connection to fighting for and protecting land and country. These universal themes are timely. Through the artists’ engagement in a cross cultural and dialogue with these themes this exhibition provides the chance to explore and deepen our understanding of diverse perspectives on war and the history of struggle and survival.

APY Lands Artists: Alec Baker, Eric Barney, Willy Kaika Burton, Pepai Jangala Carroll, Taylor Cooper, Sammy Dodd, Witjiti George, Rupert Jack, Kunmanara (Brenton) Ken, Kunmanara (Ray) Ken, Hector Mitakiki, Junior Mitakiki, Kamarin Mitakiki , Kunmanara (Willy Muntjantji) Martin, Peter Mungkuri, Vincent Namatjira , Kunmanara (Jimmy) Pompey, Keith Stevens, Derek Jungarrayi Thompson, Thomas Ilytjari Tjilya, Bernard Tjalkuri , Ginger Wikilyiri, Mick Wikilyiri, Mumu Mike Williams, Anwar Young, Frank Young, Kamurin Young, Young men of Amata

Invited Artists: Abdul Abdullah, Tony Albert, Brook Andrew, Lionel Bawden, George Gittoes, Shaun Gladwell, Richard Lewe , Uncle Charles ‘Chicka’ Madden and Jonathan Jones , Danie Mellor, Steaphan Paton, Ben Quilty, Reko Rennie, Greg Semu, Alex Seton.

Weapons for the soldier is a partnership project between the APY Art Centre Collective and Hazelhurst Arts Centre. The exhibition tour has been assisted by the Australian Government's Visions of Australia program. The project has been supported by the Australian Government’s Anzac Centenary Arts and Culture Fund, the Australia Council for the Arts, Arts SA, Create NSW, Sutherland Shire Council and the Gordon Darling Foundation

Exhibition touring dates:

Hazelhurst Arts Centre, New South Wales - 11 November 2018 to 3 Feburary 2019
Araluen Arts Centre, Northern Territory - 2 March to 6 Mat 2019
Murray Bridge Regional Gallery, South Australia - 14 September to 3 November 2019
Bega Valley Regional Gallery, New South Wales - 16 November 2019 to 8 February 2020
Latrobe Regional Gallery, Victoria - 22 February to 17 May 2020
Glasshouse Regional Gallery, New South Wales - 5 December 2020 to 28 February 2021
Redcliffe Art Gallery, Queensland - 12 March to 15 May 2021
Cowra Regional Art Gallery, New South Wales - 10 August to 20 October 2021