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In
celebration of the Guringai Festival and NAIDOC Marianne Newman
Gallery presents Colours
of Yuendumu - Warlukurlangu Painters,
a display of vibrant paintings and prints including works by
collectable artists Shorty Jangala Robertson, Judy Napangardi Watson
and Liddy Napanangka Walker.
Located
in Yuendumu, 300km northwest of Alice Springs, Warlukurlangu Artists
Aboriginal Corporation is a not for profit, fully Aboriginal owned
and governed art centre with over 600 members. 100% of the sales go
directly to the artists and their community projects. Manager Cecilia
Alfonso states, "The art centre is both a stronghold of traditional
Walpiri culture and an essential part of Yuendumu's community
life."
Known
for artwork with strong design elements and a stunning colour
palette, Warlukurlangu artists are well regarded internationally and
are amongst the most widely exhibited of any contemporary Aboriginal
art, with Yuendumu artists having participated in well over 1500
group exhibitions. Having over 25 years of painting history,
Warlukurlangu is one of the top five art centres in Australia.
Established
in 1985 Warlukurlangu, meaning ‘fire dreaming', was one of the
earliest and most significant art centres in the Nothern Territory.
Instrumental in the establishment of Warlukurlangu, Paddy Japaljarri
Stewart and Paddy Japaljarri Sims, alongside other male elders,
painted the Yuendumu school doors to pass on Jukurrpa (dreaming)
knowledge to the youth in 1983. These doors are now on permanent
display at the South Australian Museum.
Daughter
of two founding artists, Paddy Japaljarri Sims and Bessie Nakamarra
Sims, Alma Nungarrayi Granites taught for many years at the Yuendumu
school and has been painting with Warlukurlangu since 1987. Alma
depicts stories passed down from her father Paddy Japaljarri Sims,
the last living Walpiri Japaljarri who knows all the traditional
stories, songs and dances for the Star or Seven Sisters Dreaming.
Alma paints the Seven Sisters aspect while Paddy Sims' part of the
story is about how the Milky Way was lifted up into the sky. When
Paddy Sims (born around 1917) dies a whole body of traditional
knowledge and culture will pass away with him.
Some
of the stories survive through his family and their ability to paint
at Warlukurlangu. They keep the culture alive as well as being able
to earn a living ethically. Alma, her brother Otto (current
Chairman), his wife, Alma's sisters and all their children and
grandchildren paint at the centre.
Since
2007 Alma has been exploring her techniques and expanding her
dreaming knowledge by painting at the centre everyday. She has been a
part of many national and international exhibitions including Desert
Mob at the Araluen Art Centre in Alice Springs.
Opening
on Friday 4 June from 6-8pm, Indigenous curator and independent arts
writer, Djon Mundine OAM, will give the opening address.
Colours
of Yuendumu - Warlukurlangu Painters is
on show at Marianne
Newman Gallery, 1 Albany Street, Crows Nest from 11
February - 13 March 2010. Gallery
Hours:
Tuesday to Saturday 10am - 5pm.
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