The Women of Papunya

their stories, their way

7 March - 29 March

When we think of the birth of the Aboriginal art movement, we instantly think of the humble settlement known as Papunya; of Geoffrey Bardon and of the original Papunya 'painting men'.

The men who began painting at Papunya in 1971-72 are considered the pioneers of Western Desert art.

Little did we know that the women of Papunya were watching on, and in later years would follow in their footsteps, capturing the hearts and imagination of the art world.

 

Ningura Napurrula, the sole female desert artist to paint the ceiling of the acclaimed Musee du quai Branly in Paris.

 This month we have dedicated our third level collectors' gallery to celebrate 19 of the ladies from Papunya, who showed the world it's not just the men who can paint, and honour the women who have made a profound contribution to the Western Desert art movement and international contemporary art.

 There are stunning museum quality works, such as this Ningura Napurrula piece, titled 'Wirrulunga' 

 

 As well as gorgeous examples of the artists' work, which won't break the budget!

         

Mitjili Napurrula Collaborative, Lily Kelly Napangardi & Linda Syddick Napaltjarri

There's also a few artists that will suprise you, such as Utopian artist Barbara Weir, who was working in the kitchen at Papunya and witnessed the birth of the Aboriginal art movement.

 

Barbara Weir Untitled 118 x 178cm 

While the artists' style and subject matter/dreaming stories may vary, there is a confidence and assuredness in their work which comes from a deep and intimate knowledge of culture and country - they are painting their stories, their way.

We hope you can make it to this delightful exhibition that is a 'must-see' for avid fans and collectors of Aboriginal art.

A Window to a Hidden Past

 10 January - 8 February

an important and significant body of work by the dearly missed elder

whose life was kimberley history personified

Jack Dale was a brilliant story teller. Historians and academics alike frantically attempted to record his remarkable life story before his passing in 2013. But Jack, the ever resilient man, wanted to tell his story, his way.When Jack picked up the brush and started to paint, he found a way to tell his story from his own unique perspective and aesthetic. 

Neil McLeod – one of Australia’s leading photographers and researchers of Aboriginal culture - first met Jack Dale in the early 1980s. Over the years a close relationship developed between them, and from 2000 onwards, Jack started to paint almost exclusively for Neil. 

Until now, the closest the public could get to Neil McLeod’s significant collection was through reproductions in his book Jack Dale Mengenen (2010).

But for a limited time, visitors to Kate Owen Gallery will have the opportunity to view Neil McLeod’s significant collection and have the opportunity to purchase an artist who is known as one of the greats from the Kimberley.

Jack Dale’s artwork is a window to a hidden past and doorway to a greater understanding of Indigenous Australian culture and history, a fact that makes his artworks highly collectible. They are important historical and cultural documents, which could equally hang in a fine art gallery or a museum, where their anthropological value is outstanding.

During his life, Jack saw many things that would later be the subjects of his paintings; hiding in the bush watching chain gangs of Aboriginal men being marched away to the Prison Tree in Derby, nostalgic memories of his stockman days, the Wandjina dreaming sites of his people, and even the bombing of Roebuck Bay in WWII. 

These paintings raise your interest and beg to be talked about and considered. Despite the sometimes grim subject matter, there is an enchanting and buoyant spirit in his art, just as there was in this resilient man.

Kate Owen Gallery is privileged to showcase a significant body of work by Jack Dale, which is currently on display and available to view online. 

If you missed our Jack Dale exhibition, here are some shots - enjoy!

The Online Exhibition is still available to view here. 

 

  

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!