6 April 2009
“Desert Dreamings” Contemporary Australian Art Exhibition in New Delhi
Exhibition to showcase Australian aboriginal culture, stories and designs using traditional iconography
Warlukurlangu Artists, Australia, in partnership with art curator, Durga Vishwanathan, are showcasing contemporary Australian art in New Delhi. Titled ‘Desert Dreamings’, the paintings from the Central Desert of Australia is the first exhibition of contemporary art of Central Australian Indigenous artists in India. The exhibition is being held between 6 to 12 April 2009 at New Delhi.
Opening of the Art Exhibition
The exhibition will be opened by Mr John McCarthy, Australian High Commissioner to India on 6 April 2009 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.
The exhibition will feature 87 paintings showcasing Walpiri culture, stories and designs by 43 artists from Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation, Australia. Warlukurlangu Artists is a not for profit, fully indigenous owned artists cooperative located in the remote Central Desert of Australia.
“We are delighted to have such a rich collection of Australian Aboriginal art in New Delhi. The paintings reflect the richness of Australia’s Indigenous culture”, said Mr John McCarthy, Australian High Commissioner to India.
“India has a longstanding tradition for the art produced by its tribal and traditional communities and there is growing interest in Aboriginal art in India and around the world. The exhibition will deepen understanding in India of Aboriginal art and its complexity and richness. We are delighted to have the opportunity to showcase Aboriginal art in India”, said Mr McCarthy.
Warlukurlangu means "belonging to fire" in the local language, Warlpiri and the artists cooperative is an important stronghold of traditional Warlpiri culture and an essential part of Yuendumu's community life, representing both the social and cultural 'hub' of the community.
Established in 1985, the cooperative represents over 400 artists all of whom paint their Jukurrpa - Dreaming stories, using traditional iconography that has direct links to one of the oldest, continuously surviving cultures found in the world today. These stories have been handed down from generation to generation for millennia and relate directly to the artists ancestral lands. These designs were originally painted on the body during ceremony and on ground paintings; today they are depicted in modern mediums using an unrestricted palette of modern acrylics.
Warlukurlangu Artists’ cooperative is renowned for the vibrancy of its art, colourful acrylic paintings, strong iconography and fine limited-edition prints. Many of its members' works are highly collectable. Each painting is a story about the artists' land, the landscape, plants and animals in the land. All designs have a meaning and the artists only paint stories that belong to their ancestral land. These stories have been passed down orally through generations.
Warlu Team at ‘Desert Dreamings’ Exhibition in New Delhi
Indigenous artists, Otto Jungarrayi Sims, Chairman of Warlukurlangu Artists, and his wife, Ormay Nangala Gallagher, along with Cecilia Alfonso, Manager, Gloria Morales, Assistant Manager, and Erin McNama, Art Coordinator of Warlukurlangu Artists, are participating in the exhibition.
The exhibition will be held between 7 to 12 April at Open Palm Court Gallery, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, New Delhi. Gallery hours are 1000 Hrs to 2000 Hrs. The proceeds from the sale of art works will go directly to artists to support a range of social and health projects in their community. More information on the exhibition is available at www.warlu.com/about/?indiaexhibition .
This exhibition is supported by the Australian High Commission in New Delhi, specifically falling under the Australian Government’s Utsav Australia program.