Opening at Sawtooth’s new home on Friday, 31 July 2026, 6-8pm.

Can you see my light, I see yours.

nina lakapawa patrula mana. A glimmer from within, a flame that stirs in my heart.

One only seen from the shadow of the dark, the dark on the night.

Can you see my light, as I listen to find my truth. In country, all light begins to shine.

My body caressed into movement, an intention, a dance. I am in this moment exposed, vulnerable.

I am but light, a flicker from the dark, a sight to behold. What is this light, showing me the way, forward, through a dream.

In this moment, I have shape to love and dance, express a story of time and creation. Part of the all-light we move and dance in sequence, a flicker of light, a fire yearning to warm the world a conscious of self. patrula mana/the fire within, my fire, a gentle flame, a language on canvas showing the presence of mulaythina country in my heart.

An explosion of colour and shape. Hear the sound of your heart, the warmth of your flame. May you express and feel in ways you never imagined. The evolution of self, of pain and sorrow, of love and light. A journey passed through expressing, healing, growing.

I show myself in this season, a version endured, unlearned, and powerful. A calmness. You see, I am an artist with many ways to converse, to relay my hope, that dwells in the river of my spirit.

Flowing strong, but subtle.

I notice the Artist in you, I see, I feel, the love and light, as it filters through the waterfall of your spirit.

You are the way.
We are the light.

patrula-mana
The Fire Within

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Ya, hello, my name is Nathan Thomas Pitchford. I am an artist, my core value is communication, which, for me, comes in many languages. Dance, 2D expression, spoken word, all to create an environment to invoke feeling (sensory language).

I was born here, palanawina kanamaluka-ta, the settlement of Launceston. I descend from Truwana, Cape Barren Island. I am Palawa.

In our own unique way, I have an absolute belief that there is an artist that dwells inside us all. I haven’t practiced dance or artistic ways all my life. The journey began around 17 years ago, at a beach on Bruny island. Where I was involved with a festival called Nayri Niara/ good spirit festival. I was quite raw from life and my spirit was partly broken. I attended a workshop by a brother boy. We started moving with country, dancing. My journey through culture and the language of dance and art began.

A new season in my life. This experience awoke a deep feeling of curiosity that I have explored ever since. I held waypa/men’s ceremony at this event years later. I have been involved in many different projects, from being a member of P.K (Pakana Kanaplila), holding activation and ceremony at Kunyani mountain run festival. I’ve also been included through ceremony with 10 days in the island. I am part of the Junction Arts community, also Tas Dance/ Assembly 197 studios. I am Taraba Clan (art with many languages). I strive to create space to share the story of this land and create and experience to open our hearts and give hope.

My latest work was in September 2025, with Junction Arts Festival, with takara waranta/walk with us.
I have two main intentions with my work. To create opportunity for my community, and audience interaction/involvement with my work. I recently started telling story on canvas, evolving, creating new ways to tell story.

I love what I do.

To express, to feel, to grow, to observe, create, inspire.

Nayri nina-tu.
Thank You.

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Our new address is:
Basement level, Macquarie House
92 Cameron St, Launceston

This exhibition runs 31.07-29.08.

Image credit courtesy of the artist.

Sawtooth ARI is proudly supported by Arts Tasmania.

Contact the host of patrula-mana (fire within) Nathan Pitchford

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