It’s been a while since we’ve featured a specific artist or artwork on  our blog. I promise I will try to post more regularly updates of our stock and make you discover new artists!

Along with Nellie Marks Nakamarra and Gracie Ward I was telling you about a few days ago, Elaine Wood is one of the favourites at the gallery at the moment with deep reds and touches of orange or green in her works. Just like Nellie’s works,  Elaine’s works are walking out the door in a flash.

The texture in her works is fantastic and it catches the eye of many every week.

Elaine Woods  Wani Wani  acrylic on linen  120 x 150 cm - $6,125

Wana Wani tells the story of two women on a long journey through the desert country from Irruntji through Tjukurla to Docker River where they meet other women and then move on to Kintore.   In Elaine's country in the Pitjantjatjara lands the two women have been wandering through the sand hills and from rock hole to rock hole.  The women are now camping and eating bush tomatoes and goanna that they have caught.

Thanks to all who joined us at kate owen gallery last night, I think we can honestly say that everyone had a fabulous time!

Charlie came along and provided some music on the didgeridoo (and his famous didgeribone) accompanied by the violin, but also gave a talk on the finer details of how kinship in Aboriginal communities works.

Charlie McMahon giving a talk on kinship in aboriginal culture

Kate also gave a wonderfully insightful speech about what really happens behind the scenes in the aboriginal art world, how she selects the paintings, the different players in the industry, explaining what to look out for to make sure a work is authentic and many other things.

Kurun Wurun & Clinton entertained the crowd by providing us with some traditional music, singing and dancing.  Some of the men in the audience even joined in to learn the emu and kangaroo dance, with a bit of practise we might hire them for future events! Kurun also drew much attention by painting for those who were able to stay back a little later.

Kurun Wurun & his friend Clinton entertaining the crowd

So thanks again for helping us to enjoy such a wonderful event!

If you missed out please join us tomorrow and Kurun returns to continue painting in the gallery from 11.30am to 2pm tomorrow.

In an colourful exhibition, Kate Owen Gallery brings the indigenous masters of the desert back to Darling Park building lobby in Sydney's CBD.  Featuring works by Gloria Petyare, Kudditji Kngwarreye, Yinarupa Nangala, Debra McDonald and many others.

Our indigenous art consultant Carrie Mulford is on site from 12.30 to 2.30pm Wednesday to Friday to assist you with any queries. Please drop in during your lunch break or anytime of the day to view our artworks.

The exhibition continues until  31 March 2011.

 '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...