Numerous desert stories are brought to life in Artitja Fine Art Gallery’s forthcoming exhibition Ilkaṟi Lipi – Big Sky, opening this Friday night, 13 March at South Fremantle’s Earlywork exhibition space and showcasing the work of the Ernabella artists. Don’t miss it. Truly brilliant art.
Depictions of sand dunes, salt lakes, tree bark, sandstorms, honey ants and vital waterholes are among the themes explored in Ilkaṟi Lipi – Big Sky, a title chosen by the artists of Pukatja (Ernabella) in the Musgrave Ranges of far north-west South Australia.
The title reflects the idea of people living and working together beneath one vast sky, as the artists explain:
“Under the big sky there are many stories. The sky isn’t a backdrop but an active presence, shaping movement, memory and time.”
Pukatja is home to Ernabella Arts, Australia’s longest continuously operating Indigenous art centre, established in 1948. Artists working through the centre have earned national and international recognition for excellence across multiple art forms, including painting and ceramics produced in the community’s fully equipped ceramics studio.
Artitja has worked with Ernabella artists for over a decade, presenting regular group exhibitions and representing artists on an ongoing basis.
“Our first group exhibition with Ernabella artists was in 2015, and it has been a privilege to maintain that relationship and visit the remote community of Pukatja,” says Director Anna Kanaris.
“Watching the artists paint and create their ceramics on site is very special.”
And here are three of the artists at work: Rachael Lionel, Alison Lionel and Janice Stanley.
This longstanding partnership sees artists make the 2,300 km journey to attend the Fremantle exhibitions, offering visitors the opportunity to meet and speak with them directly.
Among the stories shared are Makinti Nimutjukur’s depictions of Ernabella Mission and memories of family holidays. As Anna Kanaris explains, these works provide important historical insight into life following the establishment of the mission in 1937, which in this instance positively supported the preservation of Anangu language, culture and traditions.
It is also important to note that Artitja Fine Art Gallery is a signatory to the Indigenous Art Code, as is Ernabella Arts, an Indigenous- owned and run corporation that promotes and supports ethical practice in the creation and sale of First Nations art.
DETAILS
Ilkaṟi Lipi is free to the public. Opening Friday 13 March 6.30-8pm – artists will be present.
The artists will also be in the gallery for a Meet and Greet on Saturday 14 March 11am-1pm.
Opening hours are Wednesday—Sunday, 10am—4pm.
Exhibiting at Earlywork, 330 South Terrace, South Fremantle.
The selling exhibition is available online at www.artitja.com.au.
By Michael Barker, Editor, Fremantle Shipping News
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