Archive for the ‘Exhibition’ Category

Posted on October 17, 2010 - by Cecily

An exhibition of watercolours

 

After the raging success of this cross artform strategy in 2010 & 2011, get set for an incredible array of exhibitions alongside the tour of Namatjira in 2012!

2012 Exhibition Dates Coming soon…

If you’re interested in catching the Namatjira show as well as seeing the watercolours, why not have a look at our PERFORMANCE page to see where we are touring this year.

An integral component of the Namatjira project is an exhibition of contemporary watercolour works showing alongside the theatrical work.

Featuring original watercolours by Albert Namatjira’s descendants, and curated by the Ngurratjuta Many Hands Art Centre, this unique exhibition guides you through spectacular Central Desert landscapes – the artists’ country and the country that Albert used to paint. These vibrant, contemporary works are testimony to Albert’s living legacy.

Many of the featured artists exhibit in galleries around Australia and have been painting for years, whilst some are new and emerging artists. They paint their country, with watercolour landscapes that depict the vast beauty and diversity of Western Aranda Country, including the West McDonnell Ranges, Haasts Bluff, Palm Valley and many other special places.

The artists include direct grand children of Albert Namatjira, grandchildren of Namatjira’s contemporaries, and kinship descendants of Namatjira and his contemporaries. They have been taught by their parents and grandparents and are the keepers of the central desert watercolour tradition. Artists include:

Lenie Namatjira
Kevin Namatjira
Gloria Pannka
Ivy Pareroultja
Hubert Pareroultja
Douglas Kwarlple Abbott
Marie Abbott
Elton Wirri
Kevin Wirri
Hillary Wirri
Mervyn Rubuntja

Biographies can be read on the Ngurratjuta website.

By touring the exhibition alongside a high profile theatrical work, the project aims to generate greater exposure and sales for the artists, as well as generating greater understanding of the vital role of Indigenous art centres in Aboriginal communities.

Read more about art centres at the Desart website.

Background

Albert Namatjira grew up at the Lutheran Mission in Hermannsburg, 120km west of Alice Springs. It was there in the mid-1930’s that he was exposed to western watercolour painting under instruction from Rex Battarbee. Albert learnt quickly, and impressed those in the art world around him. In 1938 he held his first solo exhibition, signing his works with his full name for the first time, and selling out in 3 days. From then on, his works were exhibited prominently around the country, presented to the Queen and many dignitaries, and his exhibitions sold out before they even opened. Albert took on the role of educator to his family and community, teaching watercolour techniques to his sons, particularly Oscar, Keith, Ewald, Enos and Maurice, and to his cousins and community, including the Pareroultjas, Pannka’s, Rubuntja’s, Abbott’s and Wirri’s. Before long, the central desert watercolour tradition had become prolific. This generation then passed on the tradition to their sons and daughters, who in turn have passed it on to their sons and daughters. This third generation of watercolour artists are featured in the Namatjira project’s exhibition.

NOT LONG AGO NOW… 2011 Exhibitions were held at:

Alcaston Gallery – Melbourne, Vic  2– 26 August

Metropolis Gallery – Geelong, Vic 7 – 17September

Chapman Gallery – Canberra, ACT  11 – 24 September

Lismore City Hall – Lismore, NSW 22 Sept- 2 Oct

 

And in 2010… We had 3 hugely popular exhibitions in conjunction with the Namatjira development and premiere.

Araluen Centre – Alice Springs, 30 July – 30 August, 2010.

Birrung Gallery, Sydney -  28 September – 16 October 2010.

Damien Minton Annex Space, Sydney – 28 October – 7 November , 2010.

If you love the watercolours but haven’t had a chance to get to any of our exhibitions, contact the Ngurratjuta Iltja Ntjarra (Many Hands) Art Centre  in Alice Springs. This centre manages and repersents the works of the watercolour artists.

Phone: +61 (0) 8 8951 1953;

Email: art@ngur.com.au

Website:www.ngurart.com.au