Chantelle MULLADAD's MAKEOVER OF THE GHAN

ourism Northern Territory in collaboration with NT Major Events Company (NTMEC), Journey Beyond and AGB Events with the help of Aboriginal artist Chantelle Mulladad, Keringke Arts, have transformed The Ghan into a spectacular piece of moving art.

Three carriages of the world-famous train have been wrapped in Mulladad’s stunning design Crossroads, as it travels from Darwin to the Red Centre. To complement the external wrap; a spectacular immersive light installation will light up inside one of The Ghan’s carriages, providing an engaging visual display and a taste of things to come at Parrtjima – A Festival in Light 2021.

“This project was designed to creatively integrate the Parrtjima festival into one of our unique Northern Territory holiday experiences that delivers on the Northern Territory’s promise of being different in every sense.” said Executive General Manager at Tourism NT, Tony Quarmby, “It has been a really exciting project for us to bring to life; the juxtaposition of Chantelle Mulladad’s artwork on the train with the Red Centre’s vibrant colours as the backdrop creates a stunning visual as The Ghan travels through the Territory to Alice Springs, while the immersive experience on board The Ghan gives passengers a taste of what to expect at Parrtjima – A Festival in Light.”

This epic reveal of The Ghan train wrap shows off the stunning design by Mulladad, from Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa), a remote indigenous community 80km south-east of Alice Springs.

Mulladad’swork is precise and detailed, using pattern, colour, shape and structure to create paintings that depict her sense of Country, culture and self. Crossroads, is about travelling across country on a journey – which is significant and symbolic to the principles of The Ghan. Crossroads has also been utilised in the internal treatment inside The Ghan carriage, an immersive creation which guests will get to experience as it travels through the Territory.

“Since the inaugural festival in 2016, Parrtjima has come of age as an event of national significance with thousands of interstate visitors expected to travel to the Red Centre for the 2021 instalment.” added Northern Territory Major Events Company CEO Tim Watsford “Like the 2021 Parrtjima program and The Ghan journey, this distinct partnership is synonymous with quality, elegance and iconic experiences.”

Parrtjima provides an exceptional opportunity to not only learn about Aboriginal stories, culture and art but ensures the knowledge is kept relevant in the 21^st century through newly developed mediums. Running from 9 to 18 April in Alice Springs, Parrtjima – A Festival in Light activates the desert landscape of Central Australia into a meeting place of old and new, where the festival utilises the latest technologies to showcase the oldest continuous culture on earth.

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