We all know of one famous Dorothy who said “there’s no place like home”. We’d like to introduce you to another Dorothy who, through her captivating art, was able to show the whole world the beauty of her home, known as Mina Mina.

As a child Dorothy experienced unconditional happiness and freedom as she lived a traditional bush life. Dorothy’s fond early years at Mina Mina, along with the sacred dreaming stories that inhabit the land, are the inspiration and subject of her work.

The Australian art world instantly took note of this trailblazer, who was working towards a previously unseen abstracted method of Aboriginal art – removing all iconography in her work. Just as Dorothy’s visual effects are subtle and intriguing, so too are their connection to culture and country.

In 1991 Dorothy won the National Aboriginal art award for best painting in Western media. In 2002 her major solo exhibition (and the first solo exhibition for an Indigenous Australian artist) opened to considerable acclaim at Sydney's Museum of Contemporary Art, and later toured Asia. In 2012 she became the first indigenous Australian artist to have work accepted by Art Cologne, and in the same year her work was displayed in Ancestral Modern, an exhibition at the Seattle Art Museum.

Despite all the success and fame, Dorothy was a quiet and reserved woman who loved nothing more than to go hunting and go walking on country with family. Those close to her knew a charming woman whose smile lit up a room.

In June last year, Dorothy’s life was tragically cut short. Kate Owen Gallery wishes to honour this incredible artist & friend with the exhibition

dorothy remembered

4 october - 26 october

 all artworks available to view online

Back in 2009, Kate Owen Gallery was proud to present the 3 Kings exhibition, where Sarrita and Tarisse paid homage to their father, the highly respected artist and elder, William King Jungala (1966 – 2007). Back then, the girls wove their own styles with that of their father and produced fascinating interplays of colour, design, heritage and spirit.  While still at the early stages of their careers, we could tell that the girls were set to become big names in the Aboriginal Art world.

Flash forward five years, and the King Sisters have cemented themselves as the exciting next generation of Aboriginal artists. Still honouring their father’s stories, the sisters have matured and developed their own unique style which has seen them displayed in galleries throughout Australia and around the world. Their works are vibrant, striking and contemporary.

Sarrita King became a household name after one of her ‘Earth Cycles’ paintings featured on The Block All Stars (2013) and truly set the space off. Since then it has been a whirlwind for Sarrita, as she continues to grow in popularity both in Australia and overseas, particularly in Europe.

We are thrilled Sarrita has accepted our invitation to be our inaugural artist in residence. Sarrita’s philosophy in life and art is that it is all about sharing; storytelling through art, bringing the viewer in to her culture and creating a connection.

Visitors to the gallery during our artist in residency program are in for a treat!  Watch this space as we will post some photos and interviews with Sarrita in the gallery shortly!

Meet Sarrita at the Gallery in September

Saturday 13^th and Sunday 14^th

Saturday 20^th and Sunday 21^st

11am – 1pm and 3pm-5pm

no bookings necessary!

Left: Ronnie Tjampitjinpa painting Tingari-Fire Dreaming Middle: Clifford Possum painting Night Sky Story Right: Johnny Warangkula Tjupurula

The exhibition title from little things big things grow comes from the song of the same name by Australian artists Paul Kelly and Kev Carmody. Written in the 1980’s, it tells the inspiring story of the Gurindji people's struggle for equality and land rights after their 'walk off' at the Wave Hill property in 1966.  It is a story of hope and optimism. So too is the story of Papunya.

Little did we know back in 1971 - when a young school teacher encouraged the men of Papunya to paint using traditional Aboriginal iconography from the Western Desert – that we were about to witness the birth of the Aboriginal Art Movement.  From humble beginnings, the artists of Papunya are now known as the founders and ‘Masters’ of the Aboriginal Art Movement. In the years since, the artists of Papunya have made a profound contribution to the movement and international contemporary art.

This exhibition showcases the art of the great Papunya masters and the artists who got their start in this humble settlement. Their vibrant and innovative works give enduring expression to their powerful Tjukurrpa (Dreamings) and simply reverberate with a pulsating energy in our third level collectors’ gallery.

Many of the pieces on display are museum quality works, but unlike similar works in public galleries, these are available for purchase.

We do hope you can visit the gallery in August and experience this superb exhibition.

Can’t visit the gallery? Don’t  worry, you can view the online exhibition here.

We have a new addition to the Collectors' Gallery:

a spectacular 135 x 542 cm piece by the great Dr George Ward Tjapaltjarri titled Tingari

it has to be seen to be believed - make sure you visit the gallery soon to see this powerful piece - no doubt it will be the centrepiece of a corporate office (or a very lucky home!) in no time at all

Our Collector's Gallery was established two years ago to pay homage to the leaders of the Aboriginal Art movement which captured the attention of the world, and to the artists who keep that tradition and artistry flourishing. View our collectors' gallery here

detail Dr George Ward Tjapaltjarri 'Tingari' 135 x 542cm