| |
NEW PAINTINGS
FROM AUSTRALIA
Aboriginal art
retains its ability to surprise. New artists and styles continually emerge, while many older artists capitalize
on their considerable strengths,
through increased emphasis on simplicity, clarity, and refinement
of style - growing in unexpected yet satisfying ways. This exhibition
features recent paintings by Papunya and Utopia artists. From the sensual feminine abstraction of Maisie Bundey and Polly and Kathleen Kngale to rigorous geometric abstraction of Ray James Tjangala and minimalism of Lilly Napangardi Kelley. (PLEASE NOTE: Many more paintings are also to be found
throughout the PAINTINGS area of the site!)
|
|
|
| |
|
PINTUPI
EYE DAZZLERS
Since the founding
of the desert painting movement in 1971, Pintupi painting has undergone
considerable stylistic evolution. This exhibition examines the development
of a highly sophisticated style of geometric abstraction rooted
in sacred designs, which in ceremonial contexts, are incised on
ritual objects; or etched with fingers as furrows on the ground
and then outlined with pigments; or painted on the surface of the
body with lines of ochre pigment. In their recent fine art many
Pintupi painters have used dots smeared together in linear patterning
to echo these sacred designs, or have increasingly dispensed with
dots altogether in favor of linear patterns created solely with
a brush. Featured artists include: Ronnie Tjampitjinpa, Turkey Tolson,
Timmy Payungka, George Tjungurrayi, Warlimpiringa Tjaplaltjarri,
and Dr. George.
|
|
| |
BARK PAINTINGS, FROM THE 50'S AND 60'S
It's easy to look back at the bark paintings from the 1950's and 1960' painted at communities along the top end as something of a golden age. Many great painters and carvers were active and doing highly sophisticated work that was just barely beginning to be recognized at the time. In West Arnhem Land some of these artists were still actively making rock art as well and there work bears a strong connection to this much older tradition. This exhibition is a salute to the artists of that era, some of who's work was still often unattributed.
|
|
|
| |
Paintings by Emily Kngwarreye
|
EMILY KNGWARREYE— BOSS WOMAN, YAM
An exhibition of paintings by Emily Kngwarreye (Australian Representative to the 1997 Venice Bienalle). Emily is widely regarded as the most innovative painter to have emerged from the desert painting movement. The evolution of her painting style was nothing short of remarkable. Emily started painting at Utopia at the age of 77 and compressed a brilliant career, comparable to that of other important abstract painters, into eight short years, leaving an impressive body of work behind her. Emily passed away in 1996, but her legacy lives on in the compelling color, vibrant dotting, and spellbinding gestural brushwork of her paintings. |
|
| |
All
Australian Aboriginal paintings indicated with green dots 
are currently for sale. Prices and photos can be obtained by contacting
Songlines Aboriginal Art gallery via e-mail,
please be specific and mention the name and inventory code
of the paintings. We particularly welcome phone calls in the U.S.
(San Francisco) at (415-871-5901). --
David
Betz, Curator
|
|
|
