Artbank travels to APY Lands
Earlier this month I was privileged to visit the art centres in the tri state area, where the borders of South Australia, Western Australia and Northern Territory meet.
Known as the APY (Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara) Lands, it is an area about 950km north west of Adelaide in South Australia, starting at the very corner of the Northern Territory and Western Australia border. There are three language groups in this area and the arts of the different centres are fantastically diverse.
The three-day itinerary began in Uluru and I visited seven of the arts centres including: Ninuku Arts, Tjunga Palya, Tjala Arts, Ernabella Arts, Kaltjiti Arts, and Iwantja Arts, introducing us to the artists and their paintings as well as providing a valuable experience of the extraordinary landscape which inspires the works. The artists in this region are going from strength to strength with works of quality being produced by both known and as yet unknown artists.
While Tjunga Palya and Tjala Arts continue to produce vibrant works by better known painters such as Maringka Baker, Tiger Palpatja and Tjungkara Ken, the smaller art centres contained some real surprises. In the case of Kaltjiti Arts, the centre is currently producing some of the most wonderful desert weaving, while at Ernabella Arts - the oldest art centre in Australia, having been running continuously since 1948 - I was excited by new developments in the ceramics studio, where a recent workshop by Honor Freeman has produced some wonderful results. Originally creating weaving, wool and hand pulled floor mats, it now incorporates paintings by rising stars Niningka Lewis and Nura Rupert as well as the renowned Ernabella beanies.
Our final day saw two vibrant communities with exciting new talents taking the next step with their art production. At Mimili Maku Arts I was thrilled by the development in the work of artists such as Robert Fielding, Ngupulya Pumani and Puna Yamina. While at Iwantja Arts and Crafts I was delighted to meet Alec Baker, one of the first Indigenous artists acquired by Artbank in the early 80s, as well as Peter Mungkuri and Sadie Singer.
The days spend in the communities of the APY Lands gave me a far better understanding and appreciation of the work created by the artists in these communities. I would like to thank them all, as well as the art centre managers for making us feel welcome and showcasing their lands and their art.
end of financial year wrap
The end of financial year always seems to come so quickly, and this year was no different.
In a year of continuing world wide financial instability, I am pleased to say Artbank has again supported Australian artists and the Australian art industry with an ambitious and comprehensive acquisition programme. As with every year we have purchased from all states and territories, from galleries, communities and individual artists and from Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists alike.
We have acquired 267 new artworks by 135 artists. Of these artists there are 88 completely new to the collection, and 25 per cent identify as Indigenous.
Included in the acquisitions were major works such as Jemima Wyman’s Aggregate Icon Skull, which is currently featured in the Biennale of Sydney, Alasdair McLuckie’s 20 panel ink on board, The highest mountain peaks right before dawn, which will be included in Primavera 2010 at the Museum of Contemporary Art, and Song Ling’s work Bonsai
, which was featured in the Wynne Prize at the Art Gallery of New South Wales. Major paintings by Indigenous artists from communities in the Northern Territory, Western Australia and South Australia included those by Maringka Baker, Punkgai, Doris Elkedra and Maria Josette Orsto, along with a stunning lorrkon by Ivan Namirrki. While Artbank has a strong focus on young and emerging artists, a number of works by mid-career and more established artists who were yet to be included in the Artbank collection were acquired including works by Rose Nolan, Janet Burchill and Jennifer McCamley, Linda Marrinon and Julie Rrap.
If you are interested in renting any of the new acquisitions contact us either in out Sydney, Melbourne or Perth showrooms.
Geoffrey Cassidy
Director
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