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The National Portrait Gallery acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and recognises the continuing connection to lands, waters and communities. We pay our respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and to Elders both past and present.

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Ruby James (Inma), 2019

Adele Wilkes

Living Memory Finalist

Kaltukatjara Aṉangu artist and ranger Ruby James observes Aṉangu women (including her daughter) perform Inma – the traditional song and dance ceremony – at Mutitjulu, Northern Territory, as the sun sets on the day of the permanent closure of the Uluru tourist climb, 25 October 2019. This portrait was created through the invitation of the Aṉangu artist collective, Maruku Arts, during gatherings and celebrations commemorating the climb closure, and coinciding with the anniversary of the 1985 return of Uluru-Kata Tjuta to its traditional owners, the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara.

Courtesy of the artist
© The artist

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