Larrakia Nation Arts, hot off the heels of their “Contemporary Indigenous Arts” exhibition for Darwin Festival, have a new project: to get the homeless, indigenous long grassers of Darwin to share their creativity with the world.

“Breaking the Stigma: Arts in the Long Grass” is the name of a new exhibition that will be running from late November until December 11th at Darwin Entertainment Centre. It consists entirely of works created by the marginalised and homeless ‘long grass’ people from around Darwin, in workshops set up and run by Larrakia Nation Arts (LNA) and Healthy Engagement and Assistance in the Long-grass (HEAL).

Workshop co-ordinator Russell Lillford claims that “our ability to create a space which is on site that is both free from alcohol and drug usage, humbug and general disruptive influence – a sort of temporary retreat – is an imperative.”

Money earned from the sale of works in the exhibition will go back towards the continued running of the program, which, in the long run, aims to rehabilitate long grass indigenous people from drug and alcohol abuse. “By using art as a diversional therapy, we hope to help improve overall well-being of individuals, with the intention of encouraging creative activities not involving alcohol and drugs. This workshop is intended to help participants to regenerate cultural practice, communicate, share stories, as well as practice and improve individual artists’ skills.”