The Country in Colour exhibition is almost fully installed ahead of the opening day Tuesday 25 November. (L – R) Costa Nikolakopoulos, John Paul Janke and Alison French discuss the artwork West MacDonnell Ranges, by Lenie Namatjira.
Descendants of Albert Namatjira will journey to Canberra from Alice Springs later this month as part of the Namatjira Project, seeking to ensure new generations of his family can enjoy a sustainable arts practice.
To support the project the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) in association with Big hART Inc and Ngurratjuta Many Hands Arts Centre will present Country in Colour: an Exhibition and Market Day of Hermannsburg School Watercolour Artists.
Hosted in the public gallery at AIATSIS from 9am to 4pm, Friday 28 November, the market day is an opportunity for the public to browse and purchase a range of beautiful original watercolours and meet some of the artists responsible for the stunning works. A free public exhibition of artworks will be held in the same space from 25 November to 12 December.
AIATSIS Principal, Russell Taylor said the Institute is very proud to be able to host community led activities and support this very important project.
“With all sale proceeds going directly back to the community art centres and artists, it is a chance for us to do our small part to support remote communities, and at the same time help secure the legacy of Albert Namatjira for future generations,” Mr Taylor said.
Exhibiting artist Gloria Pannka said without the Namatjira Project, Albert’s legacy would be lost.
“We’ve got to carry on doing what he was doing and we’ve got to teach them. Keep it going. In the classroom and taking them out,” Gloria said.
“The Project means a lot to me. It’s important to us for we want to be on the project so we can carry it on you know, and plus the young ones might see us what we do and they might want to do it.”
Namatjira Project Creative Producer, Sophia Marinos said the trip to Canberra is important on many levels.
“It’s about investing in the future of the younger artists, giving them a glimpse of the significance of their art movement on the national stage - it is something to be proud of and is also a very real career path,” Sophia said.
To complement the art market AIATSIS publishing arm, Aboriginal Studies Press will be offering a 20% discount off all titles sold at the bookshop (opposite the market) and 20% discount (and free freight within Australia) for purchases from the online shop – for 28 November only.
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