Water Stories
26 January - 16 March 2026
at Yitpi Yartapuultiku
Kaurna Country
1300 Old Port Road, Yaartapuulti/Port Adelaide
An exhibition by Ngarrindjeri artist Melanie Koolmatrie and
Arts Ceduna from the Far West Coast of South Australia.
Melanie reflects on her deep cultural and personal connection to water, exploring the life-giving energy of the River, Lakes, Coorong, and Sea. Her work speaks to water’s role as a source of transformation, reflection, and renewal.
Arts Ceduna’s sculptural works, created from marine debris and ghost nets, reflect on the beauty and fragility of our oceans. Wirangu, Gugada/Kokatha, and Mirning artists developed these artworks during an on-Country camp at Mt Ives, these pieces transform discarded materials into powerful statements on care for Country and ocean sustainability. Each artwork raises awareness about environmental protection and the impact of pollution on marine life, while expressing the artist’s deep cultural and personal connection to water and place.
Water Stories highlights the interconnection between people and the environment, reminding us that water is not just a resource, but a living force that connects and sustains us all.
Image: Verna Lawrie, Seahorse , 2025, 89 × 66cm, Ghost Net, Plastic, Trellis, Rope and twine. Photo: Ku Arts.
Image: Melanie Koolmatrie, Between the Lakes, 2025, 128×128cm, Acrylic on linen. Photo: Ku Arts.
Image: Melanie Koolmatrie, Water Songlines, 2025, 91×5cm, Acrylic on canvas. Photo: Ku Arts.
Ku Arts is passionate about creating opportunities for our artists, whether through creative development programs or pathways that support strong economic outcomes. Water Stories celebrates the work Ku Arts does walking alongside our member art centres and independent artists, strengthening creative practice, visibility, and sustainable careers across South Australia.
For this exhibition, Ku Arts supported Arts Ceduna and Ngarrindjeri artist Melanie Koolmatrie through both creative and professional development initiatives. Melanie received one-on-one mentorship and artwork development support from Ku Arts Studio Manager, Em Franklin, with generous art material assistance from Arts National. Arts Ceduna artists were supported through wellbeing camps on Country at Mt Ives and Ku Arts-facilitated workshops, where sculptural works made from marine debris and ghost nets were developed.
Together, these collaborations demonstrate Ku Arts’ commitment to nurturing strong, culturally grounded practice by empowering artists to tell their stories, care for Country, and create meaningful connections between people and place.
Arts Ceduna is the Premier Aboriginal Art Centre on the Eyre Peninsula - South Australia. Situated at the Ceduna Arts and Culture Centre (CAACC), Arts Ceduna sells artwork on behalf of at least 136 artists in the Far West region of South Australia. Arts Ceduna opened its doors in July 2001 and the development of this business has been a great achievement for the Aboriginal community in Ceduna and the Far West.
Melanie Koolmatrie is a proud Ngarrindjeri, Ramindjeri, Boandik, and Paramungk woman based in Adelaide, South Australia. Deeply connected to her cultural heritage and community, Melanie’s creative practice is grounded in storytelling, movement, and the continuation of First Nations knowledge systems. Her multidisciplinary approach reflects both tradition and contemporary expression, weaving together ancestral narratives with personal experience.
