Good, Strong, Powerful!  National Gallery of Australia is showing works by Kukula  and others from Mwerre Anthurre artists in this show which runs until 15 January 2010.  Check out these fascinating naive artworks by indigenous artists across Australia - all with some form of disability.  You might like to check out the NGA's downloadable fact sheet too.

At Kate Owen Gallery, we have a number of Kukula's artworks in stock... and being very impressed by her works and those of fellow artists Adrian Robertson and Billy Kenda, we featured an exhibition of works from her art centre earlier this year.  Kukula McDonald's works are presently focused on the wild black cockatoos of the Australian bush, and she captures the character and spirit of these unique birds perfectly  (not an easy task, as many an artist who has attempted it can tell you!) 

Kukula spends her life in a wheelchair and the first focus of her artwork was just that - Wheelchairs!  She painted them relentlessly and it is said that she knows every make and model of every wheelchair owned by an aboriginal person throughout the country!

Now her focus is on the black cockatoos and their environment.  A poignant subject as well, given that birds in artworks often represent a subconscious yearning for freedom.  Her works are a unique and delightful representation of these cheeky outback characters by a gifted and plucky artist.  

 'Naive Art, or Outsider Art, refers to works by artists in sophisticated societies who reject or lack professional training.  Naive artists create art with the same passion and intentions as trained artists, but work without formal knowledge of methods and training.  Naive artwork is characterized by the use of bright strong colors, detailed images, and an absence of perspective (creating the fantastical illusion of forms and figures floating in space). Naive art represents memories, dreams, fantasies and scenes from every day life with an emphasis on color and shapes. Naive is often associated with Folk Art, but is very different because of the simple fact that Naive art is less concerned with social structures, political correctness, and traditions.  Naive art emerged in the last fifty years as one of contemporary art’s most important styles because it has endured the ever changing styles around it, and remains generally the same. It is interesting to note that despite the large number of primitive or naive painters around the world, they all possess a distinct unity of style.'   Source: ArtHistoryGuide.com

In the case of Tangentyere Artists, those of Mwerre Anthurre, and an increasing number of other artists from Aboriginal Art Communites, the works represent an entirely different kind of expression from the desert art normally featured in Kate Owen Gallery's collection.  Where the majority of our art is a contemporary expression of ancient stories and important dreamings, these Naive painters are, as the definition above states, more concerned with the here and now, and express the artist's experience, dreams, hopes, values and memories in a colourful and beautifully simple way.  Subjects such as Elizabeth Nampitjinpa's 'Car and House Out Bush' and Louise Daniel's delightful 'Meeting with the Land Council' are a fascinating narrative of the indigenous person's experience.  Indeed, they are highly collectible snapshots of an important time of change, resistance and transition for all Australians.

Left:  Artist Sally Mulda       Right: Artist  Jane Young

Left: Artist Doris Thomas      Right: Artist Eileen Ungwanaka

Artist Grace Robinya

What better way to complete this introduction than with the beautiful smiling face of Artist Grace Robinya (above).  To see artworks from this community visit the Tangentyere Artists Exhibition at our Rozelle Gallery from 12 - 27 March, 2011 or buy on line.  More works will be added during the week before the 12th March, so stay tuned...