Ira Gold

In the summer of 2023 news of social unrest and youth crime in Mparntwe (Alice Springs) was widely reported in the media. The sensationalist stories did not explain context and negatively portrayed the place that I have called home. That same summer, and receiving much less attention, ash rained on Mparntwe as a huge portion of central Northern Territory suffered devastating bushfires, which were exacerbated by Buffel grass. Buffel grass was first introduced by the pastoral industry and has had devastating effect on country and traditional cultural practices. Despite this impact, Buffel grass was only declared a weed in July 2024. Through painting and drawing I have responded to the destruction of country by fire and denial of culture in an immediate and visceral way. The 16 panels allowed me to present multiple perspectives of the disruption that fire and the invasive weed brings, leaving just the ash left behind.