Between Indigenous Australia and Europe: John Mawurndjul

Summary

Increasingly, Australian Indigenous art is drawing the attention of international audiences, in part because of the amazing stories the artists tell of human creativity. John Mawurndjul is one of several Aboriginal artists whose work is collected and displayed in art museums and galleries throughout the world.

As his work is both simultaneously grounded in his country in northern Australia, and internationally, the resulting dual perspective raises basic questions about how art should be viewed and approached in intercultural terms.

From their different perspectives, renowned Australian contributors, Jon Altman, Sally Butler, Apolline Kohen, Howard Morphy, Judith Ryan, Luke Taylor and Paul S.C. Taçon, join a range of international commentators, to raise and debate key questions. For example, is the point of reference for exploring his work the art gallery where the work is displayed, or its place of origin in Arnhem Land? And what are the ramifications of the choice of a specific reference point on the interpretation and understanding of his art works?

Reviews and endorsements

This book makes a valuable contribution to Australian art on a number of fronts. The authors each bring their highly respected expertise to the book, which sets Mawurndjul’s work, as well as the work of many others, in an international context. A very valuable resource.

— Hetti Perkins, Curator, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art, Art Gallery of New South Wales