Hermannsburg Potters

The Hermannsburg Potters are a group of Aranda women in Central Australia who formed an arts centre in Hermannsburg (Ntaria), Northern Territory. The women-only Hermannsburg Potters started in 1990 when senior law man Nashasson Ungwanaka invited ceramicist Naomi Sharp to teach members of the community.

Hermannsburg has a rich history as one of the birthplaces of contemporary Aboriginal art. It was here that the watercolour art movement started and where internationally recognised artist Albert Namatjira painted. 

The artists create beautifully painted pots, often with sculptured lids. The artists draw on many influences, but the pots strongly reflect the distinctive visual Aboriginal culture of Central Australia.

The subtitles in this silent clip provide an essential description of what we are seeing. The images of the surrounding landscape, including the flyover at the start, are beautiful and give us a wonderful idea of the environment and inspiration for the artists.

Footage of the community and the women creating their pots is shot and edited sensitively. It doesn't feel like we are intruding on their lives or practice.