Articles - 26 July 2007
Making new connections - Nomad Art Darwin
In March 2006 six artists, two printmakers, a photographer and a botanical scientist journeyed to Nauiyu on the Daly River, 230 kilometres southwest of Darwin. The purpose was to meet with traditional knowledge custodians to share observations, knowledge, ideas and culture and to make art. The six artists were invited to participate in the project on the basis of their art practice and come from a diverse range of cultural and stylistic backgrounds. View images
The idea behind the project was to explore the scientific, cultural and social aspects of Indigenous plant species as artistic observations of Indigenous flora. During the workshop the artists distilled ideas and knowledge into an acutely observed survey of the Top End environment. The artists were Winsome Jobling from Darwin, Debra Wurrkidj from Maningrida, Marita Sambono from Nauiyu, Irene Mungatopi from the Tiwi Islands, Fiona Hall from Adelaide and Judy Watson from Brisbane. The outcome was a collection of limited edition etchings titled Replant: a new generation of botanical art.
Replant was conceived by Angus and Rose Cameron of Nomad Art Productions in Parap and is one of various projects and activities undertaken by the Darwin based art and craft initiative. Established in 2005 to support artists from northern and central Australia, Nomad Art aims to facilitate the development of new artworks, expand market opportunities and provide a gallery outlet based on ethical business principles. The Nomad Art business selectively acquires and consigns collections and editions of art and craft and develops projects outside the gallery space. Nomad Art works with Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists focusing on promoting cross-cultural understanding. The selection of projects undertaken by Nomad Art is measured by a set of objectives, ensuring artistic integrity and viability. All activities are guided by principles of openness and fair dealing.
Darwin is located in a dynamic and diverse cultural, environmental and artistic region, providing a great opportunity to curate unique projects and collections. Other projects undertaken by Nomad Art in conjunction with Basil Hall Editions and Indigenous art centres include Kunwarrde Bim, Galuku and this year's festival exhibition Tales of the Avians.
Kunwarrde Bim (Stone Country Painting), is a collection of etchings by nine artists from Injalak Arts and Crafts in Western Arnhem Land produced in conjunction with Basil Hall Editions in 2006. The images are based on ancient rock art at Injalak Hill which over looks the community of Oenpelli. The etchings are presented in a series of handmade ceramic boxes. Celebrated artist, Bardayal (Lofty) Nadjamerrek, painted directly onto the surface of each box reflecting the ancient sandstone of the Arnhem escarpment.
Galuku is of the Yolgnu dialect from northeast Arnhem Land and means, 'coconut palm'. The project is a nighttime exhibition that presents art by Indigenous artists from Buku Larrnggay Mulka at Yirrkala and is part of the annual Festival of Darwin held in August. For the 2007 exhibition the artists have created screen prints, bark paintings and painted hollow logs, which will be displayed among coconut trees to create an art gallery with no walls.
Tales of the Avians brings together Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists, painters, printmakers and desert weavers to present an exhibition of birds at The Darwin Botanical Gardens and is also a feature of the 2007 Festival of Darwin.
The Nomad Art Gallery currently features ceramics and Milpatjunanyi / Sand Story etchings from Ernabella Arts, ceramics and bronze from the Tiwi Islands and glass by Meng Hoeschle.
The Nomad Art Gallery attracts many visitors seeking to acquire high quality and authentic art and craft from the Top End and Central Australia. Tourism allows the gallery to play a major role in educating the public about Indigenous art and culture. Consequently Nomad Art displays a range of information and mediums being adopted by Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal artists across the Territory. Stock includes a wide selection of limited edition prints on paper, hand printed fabric, hand made textiles, ceramics, bronze and glass.
Angus Cameron
Nomad Art
July, 2007
Also see: 716 craft·design Issue #23 August 2007
Special issue on Indigenous craft and design
Robert Puruntatameri, Munupi Arts and Crafts
Small Blue Vase, 2006
Earthenware
Photographer: Peter Eve
Winsome Jobling
The Wet 2006
Etching on paper with chin colle paper made of Banana, Cotton, Sugar Palm and Gamba Grass
Photographer: Peter Eve
Winsome Jobling began experimenting with papermaking in the Top End in 1982. She is well known for paper installations and sculptural forms, which extend traditional notions of papermaking, Winsome has experimented with around 60 native and introduced plant species. Her practice is linked to the environment on both political and physical grounds. Winsome's art is tactile and sensual, often contrasting elements of texture, translucence, fragility and strength.
Bardayal (Lofty) Nadjamerrek painting the lid of a ceramic box for the Kunwarrde Bim print project.
Photographer unknown
Celebrated artist Bardayal (Lofty) Nadjamerrek is one of the last surviving rock art practitioners. Kunwarrde Bim gave Lofty the opportunity to paint directly onto a ceramic surface which reflected the ancient sandstone of the Arnhem escarpment. Small examples of the rock art of Bardayal Nadjamerrek would therefore be made available for collectors in the form of ceramic boxes, each with a lid decorated by this important painter. He is depicted here painting onto the lid of a ceramic box.
Meng Hoeschle
Threads of Life, 2007
Slumped glass
Photographer: Peter Eve
Meng Hoeschle has lived and worked as a glass artist in the Top End of the Northern Territory since 1974 Hoeschle fuses found objects such as copper wire and bones into her slumped glass forms. Her works refer to the life forces of northern Australia and the reoccurring cycles and the subtle variations that that sustain life through the climatic extremes of the 'Wet' and 'Dry'.
