Lance James

Lance James is a Pitjatjantjara man from Kaltukatjara (Docker River). He grew up in Kaltukatjara and the surrounding country, eight hours west of Alice Springs. Since he was a young boy, Lance painted the horses, bulls, and cowboys that occupied his country and his childhood. His affinity with the horse is particularly evident, as he imbues his work with great movement, strength, and grace.

His familiarity with his subject matter allows him to capture the essence of a lifestyle long gone. Lance uses humour and sensitivity to explore a narrative of childhood adventure and a love of country. He still lives at Docker River with his family but regularly comes to Alice Springs for respite and the opportunity to paint.

He has been painting with the Mwerre Anthurre Artists since 2007, during which time his practice has continued to develop, drawing inspiration from creative influences around him such as the late Billy Benn Perrurle, and fellow artists Adrian Robertson, Billy Kenda, and Kukula McDonald. Lance’s passion for the artistic process continues to grow as he experiments with new ways of recounting his memories and experiences with country. Since 2022, Lance has also been working in ceramics.

Solo Exhibitions

2016 Wild Horses - Tali Gallery. Rozelle, NSW.

Group Exhibitions

2025

Bindi Magic – Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists Gallery, Alice Springs, NT

Desert Mob – Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs, NT

2024

Bindi Magic – Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists Gallery, Alice Springs, NT

Desert Mob – Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs, NT

Lookin’ at that Plane, Lookin’ at Countryside – Coconut Studios, Darwin, NT

Ode to Country: Three Painters – Delmar Gallery, Sydney, NSW

2023

Bindi Magic – Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists, Alice Springs, NT

Desert Mob Exhibition – Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs, NT

2022

Bindi Magic – Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists, Alice Springs, NT

Desert Mob Exhibition – Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs, NT

2021

Bindi Magic 10th Anniversary – Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists, Alice Springs, NT

Desert Mob 30 – Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs, NT

2020

Bindi Magic – Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists, Alice Springs, NT

Desert Mob – Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs, NT

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA – Telstra) – Darwin, NT

Bush Christmas – Talapi Art and Design, Alice Springs, NT

2019

Bindi Magic – Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists, Alice Springs, NT

Desert Mob – Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs, NT

National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards – Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin, NT

Salon Des Refusés – Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT

Beautiful Art Made Proper Way – McCulloch & McCulloch, Whistlewood, Shoreham, VIC

2018

Bindilicious – Paul Johnstone Gallery, Darwin, NT

Parrtjima, A Festival in Light – Desert Park, Alice Springs, NT

Bindi Magic – Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists, Alice Springs, NT

Desert Mob – Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs, NT

2017

Little Creatures, Big Country – Talapi Art and Design, Alice Springs, NT

Bindi Magic – Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists, Alice Springs, NT

Desert Mob – Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs, NT

Cars, Cowboys and Cockatoos – Coo-ee Aboriginal Art Gallery, NSW

Birds, Broncos and Boulders – Northern Editions, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, NT

2016

Bindi Brilliance – Paul Johnstone Gallery, Darwin, NT

Bindi Magic – Bindi Mwerre Anthurre Artists, Alice Springs, NT

Desert Mob – Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs, NT

2015

Ways of Seeing – Coo-ee Aboriginal Art Gallery, NSW

Gallery Gabrielle Pizzi – Melbourne, VIC

2014

Woolloongabba Gallery – Brisbane, QLD

Alcaston Gallery – Melbourne, VIC

Karen Brown Gallery – Darwin, NT

2013

Raft Gallery – Alice Springs, NT

Indigenart – Perth, WA

Desert Mob – Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs, NT

2012–2010

Karen Brown Gallery – Darwin, NT

Desert Mob – Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs, NT

Collections

Gabrielle Pizzi – Melbourne, VIC

Tony Bond Gallery – Adelaide, SA

Woolloongabba Gallery – Brisbane, QLD

Desert Mob – Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs, NT

Tony Bond Gallery – Adelaide, SA

Karen Brown Gallery – Darwin, NT

Desert Mob – Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs, NT

Gabrielle Pizzi – Melbourne, VIC

Desert Mob – Araluen Cultural Precinct, Alice Springs, NT

Gallery Gondwana – Alice Springs, NT

Araluen Art Centre – Alice Springs, NT (from NATSIAA 2020)

Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory – Darwin, NT

Awards

2020 – Finalist, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA – Telstra)

2019 – Finalist, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA – Telstra)