Animals in My Place
Aaron Pei Pie
22 April–4 May
“That thirsty camel was looking for some water. Two dingoes are walking around together looking for kuka (meat). The bullock is in his field of tjanpi (grass), and there's one papa (dog) hiding in that grass following him." 'Kaltukatjara Animals', 23-822KA, Aaron Pei Pie, Acrylic on Canvas, 76x101.5cm.
Kamela 22-968KA, Aaron Pei Pie, Acrylic on Canvas, 76x101.5cm
Kamela 23-814KA, Aaron Pei Pie, Acrylic on Canvas, 91.4x91.4cm
Aaron Pei Pie, Kaltukatjara NT.
“I always see camels when I was a little boy, when I been grown up around Tjuninanta."
Animals in My Place chronicles the interwoven memories of artist Aaron Pei Pie’s life across three places dear to him: Mutitjulu community at the base of Uluru (where he was a child), Tjuninanta (his grandfather’s Country, Northeast of Docker River), and his current home of Docker River. The show centres on local fauna—particularly Aaron’s signature camels—that have sparked joy and forged connections throughout his childhood and into his adult life.
Aaron’s paintings meld the mystical with the everyday. By playing with scale and placement, he creates a dreamlike quality that draws viewers into landscapes alive with memory. Camels take on special significance: not only did they delight Aaron when he was young, but he believes they serve a spiritual role, as they are said to watch over the spirits of those who passed away in the bush.
Today, he still welcomes them whenever they wander into Docker River seeking water, reflecting his enduring love for animals and their place in his community.
Through vibrant palettes and imaginative compositions, Animals in My Place invites audiences to meet the creatures that have shaped Aaron’s world.
Animals in My Place is presented by BSG Projects and Tjarlirli & Kaltukatjara Art.
“I been make these canvas here.”
Please join us for a drink to celebrate the opening of Animals in My Place on Thursday 24 April (6–8PM)
Aaron Pei Pie (b. 1970) lives in Kaltukatjara, NT (Docker River) and has been painting since 2013. Since commencing painting with Kaltukatjara Art Centre at its inception in 2016, Aaron has developed a distinct signature style of naive, figurative depiction of the animals and landscape of the country surrounding Kaltukatjara community.
In recent years, Aaron has garnered attention for his contemporary and unique works, and his works have been exhibited in a number of significant shows including Revealed at the Fremantle Arts Centre, and the 2021 Tjarlirli-Kaltukatjara group exhibition at Yaama Ganu. In 2023, he also won the major acquisitional award in the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Art Prize for his work Kamela.
In 2023 Aaron held his first ever solo exhibition, Big Mob Animals, at Brunswick Street Gallery. Animals in My Place is Aaron's second solo exhibition with Brunswick Street Gallery.
