Kililpi Kutjara - Two Stars: Shane Dodd & Kunmanara (Desmond) Woodforde

Kililpi Kutjara - Two Stars brings together the work of Shane Dodd and the late Kunmanara (Desmond) Woodforde in an exhibition that explores the possibilities of contemporary art; through material experimentation, image-making, the transformation of everyday objects into compelling surfaces, and storytelling that connects contemporary journeys across Country with ancestral knowledge. Moving between painting, printmaking and sculptural approaches, the artists develop distinct visual languages that draw on personal experience, place and cultural knowledge while engaging with the broader possibilities of contemporary art practice.

Dodd’s sandblasted metal works, created on discarded vehicle fuel caps demonstrate an inventive approach to surface, texture and found objects, turning familiar industrial forms into unexpected sites for artistic expression. Alongside these works, painting and printmaking reveal the artists’ individual approaches to composition, mark-making and storytelling, bringing traditional knowledge into dialogue with contemporary materials, processes and ideas.

The exhibition also foregrounds the importance of artistic exchange and collective making. Men’s printmaking workshops extend the artists’ practices encouraging experimentation, collaboration and the development of new techniques, while creating space for the sharing of knowledge and engagement with men’s law. This combination of innovation and cultural continuity reflects the dynamic nature of contemporary Aṉangu art, where new materials and methods are not simply departures from tradition but opportunities to expand its expression while continuing to carry the deeper significance of men’s law and the knowledge, connections and obligations that sustain culture across generations.

The Wati Group’s growing recognition demonstrates the increasing visibility of these approaches within the contemporary art landscape. With Dodd named a finalist in the 2025 Fremantle Arts Centre Print Award and Woodforde a finalist in 2024, Kililpi Kutjara - Two Stars celebrates both artists’ contribution to an evolving field of practice. Presented following Woodforde’s recent passing, the exhibition also acknowledges his artistic legacy, bringing his work into conversation with Dodd’s ongoing experimentation and affirming the continuing relevance, ambition and vitality of contemporary Aṉangu art.

At the heart of Kililpi Kutjara - Two Stars is a commitment to men’s cultural engagement, collaboration and the intergenerational sharing of knowledge. Short St Gallery is honoured to present Kililpi Kutjara - Two Stars and invites you to view the exhibition in our gallery or online via the link provided. Catalogues can be requested via enquiries@shortstgallery.com.