Utopian Aboriginal Art News

Aboriginal Art in London

2010-06-04T06:41:29Z

Based in Wimbledon Village, London, Sarah-Jane Holden runs exhibitions of Australian Contemporary Aboriginal Art. The collection is probably the most comprehensive collection of paintings of Central and Western and Eastern Desert artists currently in the UK. There are 42 artists on show and of these 33 are women. The introduction of tie-dyeing and batik making skills to the women of the Eastern Desert community of Utopia in the late 70’s not only gave the women an opportunity to earn an income but also gave them a medium where they could experiment with their traditional story-telling paintings. The results are on view at this exhibition in Wimbledon. Strong graphics, kaleidoscopic swirls, riots of colour and an inherent spatial awareness are, again and again, the themes of these paintings. The ‘dreamtime’ story or survival songs are reinforced through the iconography within each painting. Kathleen Petyarre’s paintings are specific to a certain area and to the travels of the Mountain Devil Lizard. Using a stick she covers the whole surface of the canvas with varying size and density of dots resulting in a calm but graphic composition. Her sister Gloria, on the other hand, paints the story of medicine leaves using brushes she has made herself. Her canvases are a flow of brush strokes, layer upon layer, which result in a hypnotic and moving graphic so the viewer can see and feel the flow and swish of the leaves and story she depicts. Then there is Narbula Scobie Napurrula whose canvases display an extraordinary design and special awareness as she combines the patterns of women’s body painting with the secret stories of the women’s ceremonies. With no ‘formal’ training and minimal guidance these artists sit cross legged, often surrounded by their family, in the dust and sand and will take hours of concentrated effort, layering paint over paint building and obscuring story over story to form the complex final canvas. The contrast between the hot, dry, dusty environment and the conditions in which the artists work and the luscious, rich, graphics of the final paintings is a wonder to behold. What was initially an attempt by white Australians to teach basic craft skills to the most deprived members of Australia’s black community has subsequently become not only a huge financial industry but also a precious and vital avenue for the two societies to co exist, to learn and to respect each other. The exhibition in Wimbledon will show paintings from these original batik artists; Minnie Pwerle, Gloria Petyarre and Kathleen Petyarre, Angeline Pwerle Ngala, Annie Pitjara Hunter and Joy Kngwarreye Jones to name but a few. Also on show are works from Artists of the Central and Western Desert. Most famous of these are the three brothers, Warlimpirrnga, Thomas and Walala Tjapaltjari who, having been brought up following a traditional nomadic lifestyle in the Gibson Desert, walked out into the white man’s world 1984. Their strong, earthy, traditional graphics provide a change of pace to the other paintings in this exhibition but their story is unique and the survival of the traditions on which they are based are threatened. Aboriginal art is a firm favourite in British and in European Art collections, both public and private. The Sarah-Jane Holden Exhibitions in the UK are a viewing platform to see the huge variety, skill and talent among Aboriginal artists. Painting: Detail Sand Dunes by Janelle Napaltjarri Stockman, 97cm x 1.38m Polymer acrylic on linen

Aboriginal Art Gallery opens in the heart of the Hunter Valley

2010-06-04T02:30:09Z

In collaboration with Blaxlands Inn, Tingari Arts and Eastern Desert Art have opened a new exhibition featuring works by Aboriginal artists from the deserts of central Australia. Established artists such as Charlie Petyarre Jones, Janelle Napaltjarri Stockman, Joy Kngwarreye Jones, Thomas Tjapaltjarri, Warlimpirrnga Tjapaltjarri, Walala Tjapaltjarri and Molly Napaltjarri Jugadai are featured along with new and emerging artists. Blaxlands Inn is famous for its deep dish pies and Certified Angus Steaks and their Hunter wine list showcases the best of what the local boutique wineries have to offer. You can either dine in or outside by the cosy open fire pit. Blaxlands Inn 2198 Broke Road, Pokolbin, Hunter Valley NSW 2320 ph: 612 4998 7550 info@blaxlandsinn.com.au Opening hours: Wed-Sun Lunch 12.00-3.00pm Dinner 6.00-9.00pm Sat & Sun Breakfast 8.30am-11.00am Detail from Bush Seeds by Sandy Pitjara Hunter 60cm x 1.29m Polymer acrylic on linen

Eastern Desert Art Exhibitions 2010

2010-02-26T01:11:30Z

Eastern Desert Art is thrilled to announce a new partnership with the Australasian Arts Company, Singapore which launched its first exhibition on 5 May 2010. The first exhibition featured work from established and emerging artists from the eastern and western desert regions of the Northern Territory. Contact: Gabrielle Cummins, Australasian Arts Company: +65 9771 8974 Also look out for these exciting new exhibitions:

June 2010: Western and Eastern Desert Art, Blaxlands Inn, Hunter Valley, NSW
11-13 June 2010: Aboriginal Artists UK Spring Show 11-13 June, London

June-July 2010: Prairie Hotel, Parachilna
August 20010: Stockman's Hall of Fame, Longreach, Queensland

East - West Exhibition Prairie Hotel until 11 January 2010

2009-11-16T02:07:25Z

The Prairie Hotel is Australia’s most-awarded Outback hotel. Why do people fly in from all over the world to stay or eat here? See for yourself… The Prairie Hotel perfectly blends Outback adventure with a slice of city luxury - and a lot of style. Parachilna has an official population of just seven but it's remoteness adds to the pleasure of its one and only hotel. The Prairie Hotel is truly an oasis on the plains of the Flinders Ranges, some of the most ancient and fascinating formations on Earth. From the hotel, you can enjoy magnificent views of both the Ranges and the vast red desert plains sweeping toward Lake Torrens. Inside the hotel, you’ll find great character, charm and creature comforts – topped off with superb cuisine. And all this still only 30 minutes drive from the famous Parachilna and Brachina Gorges of the Flinders Ranges National Park. Ever tried emu? The hotel restaurant is renowned for a delicious and innovative menu of Australian native and Flinders Feral Foods, You can sample truly Australian foods such as emu, kangaroo, or wallaby combined with native herbs, fruits and vegetables sourced locally whenever possible. One of our most popular bar menu items is the "Feral mixed grill". The restaurant is open all day, every day of the year. People make the Prairie Hotel special You never know who may be at the hotel - film crews with movie stars, coal miners in from the dust, locals on their night out, romantics making wedding proposals, city dwellers yearning for the country life - a great mix which makes for a memorable time. Bring a story, bring a friend, lover or the whole family and discover the pleasures of the Prairie. P) 61 8 8648 4844 or (Fax) 61 8 8648 4606 Cnr High Street & West Terrace Parachilna SA 5730

The Prairie Hotel Flinders Ranges

2009-06-30T23:13:20Z

COWBOY GETS NEW WELDER

2008-09-10T07:13:32Z

This week, Eastern Desert Art’s Utopia Community Project, donated a new petrol-driven welding machine, rods and associated gear to the cattleman/artist, Cowboy Louie Pwerle. Cowboy who is in charge of the cattle project on Utopia is using the machine to build new stock yards and mend equipment.

The Bough House - a traditional painting place for the local Artists.

2008-09-10T06:03:34Z

Stockmen Tommy Bloomfield and David Bird have built a beautiful traditional Bough House for our Eastern Desert Artists. The Artists have longed for a large traditional dwelling in the outback in which to paint - place where they would feel comfortable and relaxed with the atmosphere of the bush all around. Within a couple of weeks of commencing the project, a beautiful Bough House emerged - a large round house approximately 19metres in diameter with a gumleaf -thatched roof and hessian sides. Next to it Tommy and David erected a small shed where we - myself and Elsa (our energetic English backpacker) - mix paints, prime the linen and make snacks and tea for the women. On Mondays the women come to paint at the Bough House. Their families join them and the day is spent meeting and chatting with people from the surrounding communities. The male artists always prefer to come in, collect their primed linen and take it back to the camp to complete.

Eastern Desert Artists Visit Tandanya

2008-03-11T03:52:36Z

The Power of Place: Paintings and Artefacts from the Eastern Desert is currently showing at Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute until 20 April, 2008. The exhibition is a celebration of the land – a vibrant spiritual landscape – seen through the art of the Anmatyarr and Alyawarr people of Utopia in the Eastern Desert region of the Northern Territory. Tandanya – National Aboriginal Cultural Institute 253 Grenfell St, Adelaide (Cnr Grenfell St & East Tce)

The Power of Place: Paintings and Sculpture from the Eastern Desert at Tandanya, Adelaide

2008-03-03T07:48:33Z

A celebration of Land - a vibrant spiritual landscape - seen through the art of the Anmatyarr and Alyawarr people of the Eastern Desert region, NT. Power of Place includes exciting new iconographic and geometric ceremonial paintings and artifacts from the Elders - Cowboy Louie Pwerle, Freddy Kngwarreye Jones, Charlie Petyarre Jones, Alec Peterson and Sandy Pitjara Hunter - honouring the ancient and enduring ideology of the Dreaming (Altyerre). Song, dance, body and story – the media of the Women’s Law - are explored in the paintings from the Bush Women –Kathleen Ngala, Susan Pitjara Hunter, Joy Kngwarreye Jones, Sarah Kngwarrye Morton, Dolly Petyarre Mills, Angeline Pwerle Ngala, Annie Pitjara Hunter.

Huge Fundraising Project for Utopia

2008-01-10T22:23:19Z

This year Eastern Desert Art will endeavour to raise substantial funds - through the art business and other sources - to commence a large scale cattle project for the community of Utopia. The Project will be undertaken in three stages: 1. Cattle Yard: the erection of a cattle yard equipped with troughs, a sprinkler system, drafting lanes to accommodate 500 cattle. 2. Hay Shed: Build a hay shed adjacent to the yards to store several tonnes of cattle and calf feed 3. Erect a paddock equipped with a grid and gate Financial details of each stage will be announced soon.

The Great Horse Muster

2007-05-25T00:14:25Z

In the 2nd week of April, and as a part of the Utopia Community Project, a huge Brumby muster was undertaken. Together with the Rural Enterprise Unit, a division of the Central Land Council, Atitie, the Aboriginal Cattle Corporation and assistance from the mob from MacDonald Downs approximately 165 horses were rounded up. This initiative was brought about by the need to clear and sell the huge population of wild horses on Utopia Station to achieve the ultimate goal of repopulating the land with breeding cattle. Many people were involved in this very successful project including Dale and Steve, the heads of the Rural Enterprise Unit, Cowboy Louie Pwerle, the head of Atitie, the Aboriginal Cattle Corporation, Kelvin Huston of Houston Helicopters, the very skilful helicopter pilot and not to mention the boys from MacDonald Downs and the many ringers that came out and had a go, all shown in the photo to the right. Once the horses are sold, the money made will enable the people of Utopia to buy a good mob of breeding cattle along with a bull. Cowboy Louie Pwerle has also hand selected 20 good horses to train and use in the education process for the young trainees on the station. The horses will then be used for mustering. This is just another step in the re-establishment of Utopia as a working and successful cattle station. Dale and Steve have assisted many Aboriginally-owned stations to re-establish themselves. For example: Mistake Creek which is situated on the NT/WA border. The land management schemes are a new initiative and are still in their infancy. It will be exciting to watch their progress over the next few years. We would like to thank all that were involved in this massive undertaking and look forward to being there for the next venture.

“Featured Online Listings for Utopian Aboriginal Art”

2007-02-20T07:43:59Z

We believe in having a strong presence in the online Aboriginal art industry and can be found through the following Art and General websites:
Sarah-Jane Holden Exhibitions, promoting Aboriginal Art in the UK www.artuk.com ArtUK.com
UK art galleries list, British art galleries, UK art exhibitions, art London

Agora Gallery Contemporary fine art gallery established 1984, located in Chelsea , New York art galleries district. The public is invited to the gallery art openings receptions. Sponsor of the Chelsea International Fine Art Competition and publisher of ARTisSpectrum magazine. Painters, sculptors and photographers are welcome to submit their portfolios for review.

Australian Artists & Galleries
Australian Art Galleries is an artist and art gallery Search Engine. Featuring Australian commercial artists and galleries. It was formed to help promote Australian Art Galleries and Artists across Australia and the world.

Art Directory - www.artsearch.us Spacio & Zona Pierdutin's artwork - Posters and photography downloads, online art by Pierdutin: abstract oil paintings, watercolours, acrylics, collages, "greeting" cards... If you would like to support our website by linking to us, please contact us or email us via the details below.