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.
