Arnhemland

SECOND INDIGENOUS TRIENNIAL

SECOND INDIGENOUS TRIENNIAL

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2012-05-23 14:27:49

Why did the word 'colourless' spring to my mind when trying to sum up the National Gallery's second National Indigenous Art Triennial? I think the answer intrinsically springs from the diminished role played by vibrant Desert art. Yes – there's...» Read More

 

GULUMBU YUNUPINGU 1945 - 2012

GULUMBU YUNUPINGU 1945 - 2012

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2012-05-14 13:58:40

They keep trying to say that the 40 year old Aboriginal art movement is doomed by the inevitable death if its elders. But just a decade ago, no one had heard of the Yolngu artist, Gulumbu Yunupingu. The then-56 year...» Read More

 

Aboriginal Art is Modern

Aboriginal Art is Modern

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2012-04-02 14:48:15

The grand re-opening of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney has confirmed for many the view that the Aboriginal art of today is as contemporary as such trendy names as Hany Armanious, Ah Xian, Rivane Neuenschwander and Christian Marclay...» Read More

 

Women with Clever Hands

Women with Clever Hands

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2012-03-16 11:37:18

The two year tour of fibre work from the small, almost unknown Arnhemland community of Gapuwiyak is continuing with its opening in Sydney, at the Object Gallery later this month. Originating from Wagga Wagga Art Gallery under the aegis of...» Read More

 

Yalangabara and the Marikas

Yalangabara and the Marikas

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2012-03-01 13:28:55

Just as Mankind emerged from the sea in evolutionary history, Aboriginal life in Arhemland advanced mythologically out of the Gulf of Carpentaria at Yalangabara to become the many clans of the Dhuwa moiety. But, while the rest of us took...» Read More

 

KOONGARRA

KOONGARRA

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2012-02-16 15:45:57

In June 2011, Jeffrey Lee travelled from remote Arnhemland to Paris to meet with UNESCO officials. As the last surviving member of the Djok Clan, he was attempting to get his precious country at Koongarra added to the World Heritage...» Read More

 

Lavertys in The Netherlands

Lavertys in The Netherlands

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2012-01-20 11:31:38

The Lavertys - Colin and Liz - are legends in their own lifetimes. For they've not only built the largest Aboriginal art collection in this country – others overseas, such as the late John Kluge's, now at the University of...» Read More

 

YOUNG YOLNGU WINS IN WA

YOUNG YOLNGU WINS IN WA

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2011-08-13 00:39:05

YOUNG YOLNGU WINS IN WA The most valuable indigenous art prize – the Western Australia Indigenous Art Award of $50,000 has been won by Gunybi Ganambarr from Yirrkala in NW Arnhemland. After two years of triumphs by artists from the Buku...» Read More

 

Dawning - Young artists from Maningrida

Dawning - Young artists from Maningrida

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2011-06-11 14:51:12

The incomparable former art director at Maningrida in western Arnhemland– Apolline Kohen – was both very fond of the Kurulk clan group of painters attached to the art centre and cognisant of the fact that no art centre could reply...» Read More

 

Dawning – Artists from Maningrida Arts & Culture

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2011-06-10 16:28:13

The incomparable former art director at Maningrida in western Arnhemland– Apolline Kohen – was both very fond of the Kurulk clan group of painters attached to the art centre and cognisant of the fact that no art centre could reply...» Read More

 

PALYA IS GOOD

PALYA IS GOOD

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2011-06-01 17:11:19

The former Didgeri Air Art Tours – by which many an art collector has accessed remote community art centres with their piles of raw, exciting canvases – has changed its name to Palya Art Tours and climbed into bed with...» Read More

 

LAVERTY 2

LAVERTY 2

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2011-05-25 19:58:12

There are probably no other collectors in Australia who could get away with naming an exhibition 'Laverty 2' and expect instant recognition by viewers. But then Colin and Liz Laverty have the advantage of having had such a big impact...» Read More

 

ALEX NGANJIMIRRA 'QUEENS' IT UP

ALEX NGANJIMIRRA 'QUEENS' IT UP

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2011-04-29 17:28:56

A wonderful suite of paintings by Oenpelli's Alex Nganjimirra has emerged five years after his death just in time to celebrate the Royal Wedding. Painted between 2002 and 2004, the son of Bobby Nganjimirra simply imagined the English 'Queen lady”...» Read More

 

Passing of Thancoupie

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2011-04-29 17:18:12

It is with great sadness that AAN learnt of the passing this week of Dr. Thancoupie Gloria Fletcher AO, best known simply as Thancoupie the Potter. She died aged 74 at Weipa Base Hospital on Cape York after a...» Read More

 

LOFTY - WAMUD NAMOK

LOFTY - WAMUD NAMOK

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2010-12-13 13:51:05

The life and work of the great Bardayal 'Lofty' Nadjamerrek is being celebrated this summer at the Museum of Contemporary Art in Sydney. One immediate challenge to the mind is to wonder how the man known as “the last of...» Read More

 

ABORIGINAL ART IN COLOGNE

ABORIGINAL ART IN COLOGNE

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2010-12-01 14:09:43

The Museum Ludwig in Cologne has opened a significant exhibition of Australian art in a series which has included important Western artists such as Gerhard Richter in 2008 and Christopher Wool in 2009. Here is the curatorial take on this pioneering...» Read More

 

ONCE UPON A TIME IN PAPUNYA

ONCE UPON A TIME IN PAPUNYA

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2010-11-11 14:22:20

How to tackle this intimately informed, radically revisionist but ultimately frustrating tale of the art movement that did more than anything to change Australia's views about its indigenous people and bring their culture closer to the cities of the south? For...» Read More

 

NEW PARADIGM IN CANBERRA

NEW PARADIGM IN CANBERRA

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2010-10-03 19:28:19

Prototype, precedent, templet, archetype, scantling, paradigm...so reads my Roget's Thesaurus – which I think gives you the drift of my thinking regarding the importance of recent events in Canberra. No – not on the Hill, where Tony Abbott seems determined not...» Read More

 

JOHN KLUGE DIES

JOHN KLUGE DIES

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2010-09-17 17:57:46

It's quite strange when the one thing you know a man by doesn't get a mention in his obituary! That's happened repeatedly with the late John Kluge – known in Australia virtually only because of his magnificent Aboriginal art collection...» Read More

 

“AMAZING STRENGTH” IN 27th NATSIAA WINNERS

“AMAZING STRENGTH” IN 27th NATSIAA WINNERS

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2010-08-13 14:11:58

“I was truly amazed by the strength of the competition this year”, declared one of the two final judges of the 27th National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Art Awards at today's announcement of the winners in Darwin. Sylvia Kleinert, an...» Read More

 

Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art – Now

Posted by Aboriginal Art Directory | 2010-07-05 20:30:22

Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art – Now July 9 – August 31, 2010 Sante Fe, NM- Chiaroscuro Contemporary Art in association with Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne, Australia, will present the inaugural biennale exhibition, Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art – Now. This exhibition presents new...» Read More

 

Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art - Now

Posted by Aboriginal Art Directory | 2010-07-05 20:20:19

Chiaroscuro Contemporary Art (Main Space) 702 ½ Canyon Road, Santa Fe, NM 87501 09 July 2010 - 31 August 2010 Chiaroscuro Contemporary Art in association with Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne, Australia, will present the inaugural biennale exhibition, Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art – Now....» Read More

 

QUEEN HONOURS ABORIGINAL ARTISTS

QUEEN HONOURS ABORIGINAL ARTISTS

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2010-06-18 13:34:53

The Queen's Birthday this year added two top Aboriginal artists to the roll of honour. John Mawurndjul from Maningrida in Western Arnhemland and Peggy Patrick from the East Kimberley both became Members of the Order of Australia – AMs. Mawurndjul's citation...» Read More

 

DREAMING FESTIVAL HAS NEW DIRECTOR

DREAMING FESTIVAL HAS NEW DIRECTOR

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2010-05-25 17:18:25

Sam Cook is a member of the Nyikina nation of the western Kimberley and grew up surrounded by the arts. Her career has taken her through performing in music and theatre, literature, visual arts and executive arts management. Sam started...» Read More

 

Death of John Bulun Bulun

Death of John Bulun Bulun

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2010-05-05 15:29:20

Johnny Bulun Bulun was born in 1946 just after the Second World War near the Arafura Swamp of Central Arnhem Land. When he was older, his family moved to the nearby mission in Milingimbi so that he could attend school....» Read More

 

WA Art Award Nominees Named

WA Art Award Nominees Named

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2010-04-23 16:08:00

The 16 finalists in the nation’s richest indigenous arts prize, the Western Australian Indigenous Art Awards, were today announced by State Culture and the Arts Minister, John Day.   Mr Day congratulated the artists who have been invited to participate in the...» Read More

 

A TRIBAL WORLD ON VIEW

A TRIBAL WORLD ON VIEW

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2010-03-13 16:46:31

I was drawn to this gorgeous and important book, 'We Are One' by the prospect of Damien Hirst – the English artist infamous for his crazy concepts like a floating shark or a diamond encrusted skull – sharing his...» Read More

 

BLACK & WHITE ARTISTS IN NT VIE FOR TOGART AWARD

BLACK & WHITE ARTISTS IN NT VIE FOR TOGART AWARD

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2010-02-25 16:45:45

The Northern Territory's Togart Contemporary Art Award is one of Australia’s richest contemporary art awards and entries are now open until 15th March. The annual Award is open to all artists who base their practice within the Northern Territory or whose...» Read More

 

IT'S ALL FOLK ART AT BOS 2010

IT'S ALL FOLK ART AT BOS 2010

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2010-02-10 15:30:02

David Elliott, director of the 17th Biennale of Sydney later this year, scratched an old sore today in launching his forthcoming feast of visual arts by asserting that “all art is folk art”. As a major feature of his BOS...» Read More

 

Djambawa Marawili Receives an AM

Djambawa Marawili Receives an AM

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2010-02-04 09:07:19

The Yolgnu community of Eastern Arnhemland and art lovers widely are celebrating the recognition of the Madarrpa clan leader, Buku-Larrngay Arts Chairman and ANKAAA Chairman, Djambawa Marawili, who received a Member (AM) in the General Division of the Order of...» Read More

 

LOSS OF GREAT ARTIST FROM THE STONE COUNTRY

LOSS OF GREAT ARTIST FROM THE STONE COUNTRY

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2009-10-30 18:36:35

Wamud Namok was universally known in life as Lofty. This tall, gentle man first engaged with the white invader when he was about 16 in 1942 – walking 200 kms from his West Arnhemland Stone Country home to work in...» Read More

 

AMBITIOUS BARKS FROM ARNHEM

AMBITIOUS BARKS FROM ARNHEM

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2009-10-28 16:27:25

I first spotted Gunybi Ganambarr's powers of innovation at the Melbourne Art Fair a couple of years ago. Out of nowhere, seemingly, a bold black and white bark lit up the Annandale Galleries stall. A year later, he was recognised...» Read More

 

MENAGERIE COMES TO TOWN

MENAGERIE COMES TO TOWN

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2009-09-11 18:23:51

We think of Aboriginal art primarily in terms of painting and abstraction. The land, the stories and even the Dreamtime characters – often people morphing into animals – are invariably represented on canvas or bark without figuration. But indigenous art is...» Read More

 

COLONIAL TUTINI

COLONIAL TUTINI

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2009-09-09 00:18:07

The Tiwi people who drove the first White colonialists off their remote Melville Island (80kms north of Darwin) less than 5 years after they tried to establish a fort there are enjoying yet more schadenfreude as their ancient burial poles...» Read More

 

GARMA FESTIVAL 2009

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2009-08-12 15:47:20

“My art is a story about the universe – about the stars”, says Gulumbu Yunupingu artlessly. The eldest member of the important Yunupingu clan, on whose land in the far North East corner of Arnhemland the annual Garma Festival has...» Read More

 

THOMSON TIME COMES TO MELBOURNE

THOMSON TIME COMES TO MELBOURNE

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2009-06-22 13:27:49

Thomson Time was discovered Down South when the film, Ten Canoes revealed that in parts of Arnhemland, the period when anthropologist Donald Thomson photographed and recorded his encounters with Yolgnu people in the 1930s and 40s have come to be...» Read More

 

Colour Country: Art from Roper River' Tours for a Year

Colour Country: Art from Roper River' Tours for a Year

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2009-06-10 13:45:29

It could hardly be further from the rich wetlands of the Roper River on the Gulf of Carpentaria coast at the southern fringe of Arnhemland. But the Wagga Wagga Art Gallery in dry old New South Wales has just opened...» Read More

 

ABORIGINAL ART AT CANNES!

ABORIGINAL ART AT CANNES!

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2009-05-01 20:11:33

The Cannes Film Festival will host the world-wide launch of the Aussie film, Samson & Delilah – featuring the great Warlpiri artist, Mitjili Napanangka Gibson, in her second film role. Not only the artist, but her art features seriously in...» Read More

 

MAWURNDJUL – ART AND POLITICS

MAWURNDJUL – ART AND POLITICS

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2009-04-28 13:17:51

A brief survey of the great Arnhemland artist, John Mawurndjul's work has been mounted in Canberra. It sits at the Drill Hall Gallery in the ANU until 24th May. The occasion was also used to launch a book of the...» Read More

 

MOUNTFORD BARKS GET AN OUTING

MOUNTFORD BARKS GET AN OUTING

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2009-03-25 12:37:26

The small showing of barks and works on paper collected by Charles Pearcy Mountford during his American-Australian Scientific Expedition to Arnhemland in 1948 – currently at the AGNSW – raises more questions than it answers. Which is not necessarily a...» Read More

 

Papunya Tula Cleans up the Big Art Prizes

Papunya Tula Cleans up the Big Art Prizes

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2008-11-03 14:18:29

Pintupu artist Patrick Tjungurrayi has taken out the richest indigenous art prize in the country - the new WA Indigenous Art Award, established last year at $50,000 for the national prize, and $10,000 for a WA winner. June Walkutjukurr Richards...» Read More

 

Toga Art Award Tours for the First Time

Toga Art Award Tours for the First Time

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2008-10-01 19:56:11

In only its second year, the Northern Territory's Toga Contemporary Art Award is touring the Top End. It opens in Alice Spring tomorrow, moving to Tennant Creek in November and Katherine in December. Readers familiar with the Telstra Awards will assume...» Read More

 

Art Auction for Yolgnu Health

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2008-09-19 16:47:30

The Aboriginal Benefits Foundation's plans for a Healing Centre at Yirrkala in Arnhemland took a proud step forward last night when well over $300,000 was raised at an auction in the capable hands of Robert Bleakley, ex-boss of Sotheby's. The...» Read More

 

Roslyn Oxley Goes Indigenous

Roslyn Oxley Goes Indigenous

Posted by Jeremy Eccles | 2008-09-15 15:57:23

Excitement in Sydney as Roslyn Oxley - owner of the Paddington gallery where Bill Henson was banned and where Piccinini, Moffatt, TV Moore and other hot contemporary artists show - is giving over her white walls to barks from Arnhemland. This...» Read More

 

Aboriginal Arts Collectors Tour

Posted by Aboriginal Art Directory | 2007-12-14 07:47:57

Austrade Aboriginal Arts Collectors Tour Media Release 7 delegates over 14 days will take 8 charter flights visiting more than 23 remote art centres getting unparalleled access and attention from the industry’s leading figures Join Us Come join us for an unforgettable experience,...» Read More

 

Financial Times: Rock-Solid Abstracts

Posted by Aboriginal Art Directory | 2007-09-07 06:40:04

Jeremy Eccles, Financial Times (UK) 7 September 2007 “Are you ready for London?” Apolline Kohen asks artist Samuel Namunjdja. “What time we going?” is his eager response about a visit that is still a month away. Time has an elastic quality out...» Read More

 

John Mawurndjul - Mapping Djang

John Mawurndjul - Mapping Djang

Posted by Aboriginal Art Directory | 2006-10-18 06:42:52

John Mawurndjul is considered one of the most significant Australian artists of his generation. He has led a virtual revolution in bark painting, transforming the work of his country in central Arnhemland from what is referred to as X- Ray...» Read More

 

Barney Ellaga

Posted by Aboriginal Art Directory | 2005-04-15 00:00:00

Senior Alawa Community Lawman and Artist, Barney Ellaga is to make the long journey down from his traditional homeland in South East Arnhemland to the port City of Fremantle in W.A. especially for the opening of his first solo exhibition...» Read More

 

Bush Gardens of Roper River

Posted by Aboriginal Art Directory | 2003-09-05 00:00:00

After the phenomenal international success of the late, acclaimed Ginger Riley from the remote Arnhemland region around the Roper River comes an exciting new wave of established and emerging artists from the Ngukurr Community. Telstra Award winning artist, Ginger Riley...» Read More

 

Japingka Gallery exhibitions prior to 2003

Posted by Aboriginal Art Directory | 2002-12-13 08:47:35

A list of exhibitions held by Japingka Gallery prior to 2003: Lorna Napurrula Fencer Generations - Utopia artists - click for preview Painters of the Kimberley & Western Desert Minnie Pwerle & Mary Mclean Little Gems Lajamanu Artists of the Tanami Michael Nelson Jagamara Sand Spinifex & Salt-...» Read More