Artwork by artist Nancy Napanangka Gibson.
The upcoming Warlpiri Art Market Day will provide a rare chance for Canberrans to buy Aboriginal artworks from the remote NT communities of Lajamanu and Yuendumu, and support and meet some of the artists.
Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies (AIATSIS) Principal, Russell Taylor said the Institute is very proud to be hosting the Warlpiri artists from the Central Desert region.
“Not only does the market present an exciting and unique opportunity for the Canberra community to purchase authentic artworks, but with all sale proceeds going directly back to the community art centres and artists, it is also a chance for us to support remote communities,” Mr Taylor said.
The over 300 unique artworks available are a mixture of dots and lines depicting law, culture, environment and Tjukurrpa (dreaming) by the Warlukurlangu Artists of Yuendumu and the Warnayaka Art Gallery at Lajamanu. The artworks will be on sale over two days with prices starting at $70.
Warlukurlangu artists are famous for their colorful paintings and limited edition prints, and Warnayaka Art Gallery artists have been finalists in the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards for the last four years.
Warnayaka Art Gallery manager and mentor, Louisa Erglis said the group is really looking forward to the upcoming trip.
“It means a lot to our artists to be able to sell their art in Canberra and to see the Warlpiri works on display at the National Museum of Australia. Our group of mainly younger people has rarely been out of the Northern Territory – it’s a really huge deal,” Ms Erglis said.
“We’re very excited about seeing different sites, particularly the mosaic by Warlpiri man Jagamara Nelson at Parliament House.”
The Warlpiri Art Market Day coincides with the opening of the new exhibition at the National Museum of Australia (NMA), Warlpiri Drawings - Remembering the Future and the book launch of Remembering the Future: Warlpiri Life through the Prism of Drawing published by AIATSIS’ Aboriginal Studies Press.
Where: AIATSIS - 51 Lawson Crescent, Acton, Canberra (Next to the NMA)
When: Thursday 14 August 2.00pm – 5.00pm & Friday 15 August 9.00am – 3.00pm
Artwork information: warlu.com and warnayaka.com
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