THEY’RE one of the biggest champions of art from remote Aboriginal communities, but sadly folk may not have heard of Artitja Fine Art Gallery.
For the past two decades the South Fremantle gallery has been quietly fostering relationships with more than 20 far-flung community art centres across Australia including those in East Kimberley, Antarrengeny and Kakadu.
For the opening night of exhibitions, artists often make the epic trek from the depths of rural Australia to Freo.
For some it’s a life-changing and slightly overwhelming experience (when First Nations artist Selina Teece Pwerl travelled from Central Australia to Perth in 2010, it was her first time on a plane and she had never seen the ocean before).
• (above) Anna Kanaris visits Ernabella Arts Centre and (below) Rupert Jack’s Pulukangka (Stockman).
Artitja’s latest exhibition MANTANGURU | From the Sand showcases paintings and ceramics from the isolated community of Pukatja in South Australia.
It’s full of vibrant storytelling including Freddy Ken’s Kulata Tjuta which depicts spears travelling through the sky to catch the snake man, and Langaliki Lewis’ painting of the mysterious sand dunes in Pitjantjatjara.
Artitja director Anna Kanaris says Rupert Jack’s Pulukangka (Stockman) is particularly interesting: “I think it is not only unique in its style difference, but it is an important historical document in that the painting is a tribute to the stockmen, including himself who as a young man worked on the sheep station at the Ernabella Mission,” Kanaris says.
“His experience is in his words ‘Good memories! Good times! – a time staying strongly in my heart’.”
The artworks in MANTANGURU reflect the ancient stories of Anangu artists from the Ernabella Arts centre, which is situated about 290km southeast of Uluru.
Established in 1948, it’s Australia’s oldest indigenous art centre. Originally a craft studio producing hand-loomed woven fabrics and hand-pulled floor rugs, over time it has evolved to become one of the most respected independent art hubs in the country.
In August last year, Kanaris went there to meet the local artists: “It was quite a profound experience,” she says.
“Spending several days in the art centre, quietly watching the artists both in the painting studio and the ceramics workshop increased my own depth of knowledge and experience.
“The warmth and hospitality of the artists is such that the artists took us out (after a kangaroo tail lunch) to Warnikata not far from the community which is a red sandhill site with a 360-degree view of the country.
“There is a great amount of pride and ownership around the art centre’s history and a strong sense of independence the artists have and hold on to. It was a very special experience.”
Another highlight of MANTANGURU is Janice Stanley’s Pantu (Salt Lake) paintings.
“The story is of significance, particularly as it relates to the epic Seven Sisters songline story; however Janice’s initial inspiration to paint the salt lakes came from a school excursion as a teenager, flying over salt lakes,” Kanaris says. “She was so taken with the memory, that several decades later she brought those visions to life; depicting a salt lake of significance in her own country.”
MANTANGURU | From the Sand is at the Earlywork, 330 South Terrace, South Fremantle Until April 1. Opening hours are Wednesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm (except Good Friday). See artitja.com.au for more details.
by STEPHEN POLLOCK