ARTS BACKBONE Association of Northern, Kimberley and Arnhem Aboriginal Artists Working together to keep art, country and culture strong Volume 6: Issue 2 June 2006

Nina Puruntatameri © Munupi Arts & Craft ANKAAA News • Yirrkala Print Space • ANKAAA Work Experience • Artsworkers’ Exchange • Philip Gudthaykudthay • Tiwi Art Sale & The Football Grand Final • Nina Puruntatameri • Business Development Update • Glen Namundja • Kunwarrde Bim The Injalak Hill Suite • Maningrida Arts & Culture go to Bahrain • Samuel Namundja • Jirrawun in the House • Back Page News + Exhibitions & Events Calendar featuring the Opening of the Musee du quai Branly, Telstra Art Awards..... www.aboriginalart.org ANKAAA News Stephanie Hawkins, Manager

GPO BOX 2152 DARWIN May through to June is one There has been strong AUSTRALIA 0801 of the busiest times for Art focus of late on exploitation Centres and ANKAAA. In and unethical dealings with Frog Hollow Centre for the Arts March Stephen Hutchison, Indigenous artists. This has 56 McMinn Street Darwin N.T ANKAAA’s IT Development led to a series of industry Phone +61 (0) 8 8981 6134 Offi cer, moved on to the meetings with Minister Kemp Fax +61 (0) 8 8981 6048 position of Manager at resulting in the announcement email [email protected] Elcho Island Arts and Crafts. in the Australian Government’s ANKAAA wish Stephen all Budget 2006-2007 of $2 www.ankaaa.org.au the best and thank him for the million over four years for www.aboriginalart.org tireless IT support provided training package for visual

All text & images are copyright the artist, to the membership. On the artists to engage with the Art Centres or ANKAAA (as indicated) 22nd May Jason Dyson joined commercial art market and an unless otherwise stated. ANKAAA Arts Backbone is © ANKAAA 2006 the ANKAAA team as the additional $4 million over four

The views & opinions expressed in this new IT Development Offi cer. years to the existing National publication are those of the authors & do not ANKAAA is currently recruiting Arts and Crafts Industry necessarily refl ect those of ANKAAA. for the two regional Industry Support (NACIS) Programme ANKAAA is a non-profit incorporated Development Offi cers for through DCITA. This Aboriginal Association the Katherine and Kimberley programme provides direct regions. funding to support Indigenous ANKAAA is proudly supported by: Art Centres and resource and ANKAAA has hosted advocacy organisations such the second Indigenous as ANKAAA. Unfortunately Artsworkers exchange with the Government has decided participants from Buku against the introduction of a Larrngay Mulka (Yirrkala NT) Resale Royalty scheme which and Munupi Arts and Crafts many sectors of the industry ( NT) travelling to have been actively lobbying Fitzroy Crossing to work with for a number of years. Artsworkers at Mangkaja Arts. Karen Mills (ANKAAA Public The NAVA Indigenous Offi cer) is currently in New Commercial Code of Conduct York as the inaugural Wenten is about to commence with Rubuntja Indigenous Artist Jill Gientzotis of Gientzotis Fellow. The Dreaming Festival Consulting appointed as the in June: ANKAAA will have a consultant researcher for the delegation of 20 Artsworkers project. The project has been and artists providing funded by the Aboriginal and demonstrations and fl oor talks Torres Strait Islander Arts and we are currently curating Board of the Australia Council a photographic exhibition for and is a joint project of NAVA the The Dreaming Festival, and the peak bodies for also to be exhibited in Darwin Indigenous Art Centres and during the Darwin Festival in artists, Desart and ANKAAA. August. ANKAAA has recently had the re-design of the I hope you enjoy this edition ANKAAA brochure completed, and the fantastic work that’s ready for distribution mid- happening out in regional and June, supported by Tourism remote Art Centres in the Top NT and VACS funding. End. Yirrkala Print Space - Buku Larrnggay Mulka, Yirrkala Araluen Maymurru

Araluen Maymuru was Along with senior recently selected as a printmaker Marrnyula fi nalist in two categories of Mununggurr she editions the 2006 Northern Territory the linocuts, etchings and Young Achiever Award. screenprints which are then She was selected from sold through the on-line all other nominees to be gallery she maintains at named as one of three www.yirrkalaprints.com fi nalists for both the Art and Regional Achiever of the In 2005 Araluen curated Year honour. both the Gapan Gallery at Above Lurrkun Larrakitj, the Garma Festival and Gulumbu Yunupingu 2006 Araluen is an artist, curator the Galuku Gallery in the (screenprint detail) and printmaker from Buku- Darwin Botanical Gardens Below Barawanthu, Banduk Larrnggay Mulka at Yirrkala during the Darwin Festival. Marika 2006 (screenprint detail) & Araluen Maymuru printing where she has worked for These were major outdoor one of her etchings at Buku- fi ve years. As well as creating selling shows of Yirrkala Larrnggay Mulka Centre, her own works on paper, prints installed onto trees Yirrkala © The Artists & Buku inspired by her identity as a & viewed under lights at Larrnggay Mulka Mangalili clanswoman, she night. also assists other artists in bringing their designs to reality.

I hope that Araluen can inspire the young people to see that although we live in a remote region it is possible to achieve excellence in the world of arts practice and management.

It has been a joy to watch Araluen take on greater and greater responsibility and succeed at every challenge.

A lot of industry people have been surprised at just how talented Araluen is across all of these different roles. She has just recently editioned some fantastic prints from artists like Gulumbu Yunupingu and Banduk Marika which are available through the website.

Gulumbu’s print has been accepted into the ‘National Works on Paper Award.’ This is high standard printmaking.

Buku Larrnggay Mulka Co-ordinator, Will Stubbs www.yirrkalaprints.com ANKAAA Work Experience Tina Hobbs from Mangkaja Arts & Marissa Kingsley from Warmun Art Centre In February 2006 Tina networking skills and build Visited the Tiwi Art Network Hobbs travelled from Fitzroy confi dence, as talked Visited Maningrida Arts & Crossing, W.A and Marissa about at the 2005 ANKAAA Culture, Darwin Store; and Kingsley travelled from Indigenous Artsworkers Warmun, W.A to Darwin to Conference. Attended the launch of the undertake a week of training Northern Territory’s Public at the ANKAAA offi ce in Training and professional Art Strategy at the Supreme fi ling, archiving and general development opportunites Court of the Northern administrative tasks. included: Territory

Whilst in Darwin there were A visit to the Museum and There are opportunities for lots of opportunities for Art Gallery of the Northern other Art Centre staff to Tina and Marissa to attend Territory to see Through undertake training or work industry events and meet the Policeman’s Eye - experience at the ANKAAA with Artsworkers and Art the photography of Paul offi ce. For more information Centre staff. Foelsche; please call Michelle Culpitt at the ANKAAA offi ce Apart from gaining skills Participated in meetings with 08 8981 6134 or email and knowledge in the offi ce, Top End Arts Marketing; [email protected] the visit aimed to extend

The best part of the they send out brochures weaving. In Mangkaja the trip to Darwin was the and their advertising. This ladies use cotton wool to training course, being was different to me and I weave their baskets. I also able to learn different like the jewellery, using liked the fi sh traps and offi ce skills, like fi ling and their own totems. the dilly bags because stuff. I didn’t see one before, I liked the Maningrida and especially the way For me it was good to also Arts & Culture Store, I liked they make them. learn about marketing the different designs and & the Tiwi arts, the way their hard work, basket Tina Hobbs, Mangkaja Arts, Fitzroy Crossing W.A Buku Larrnggay Mulka & Munupi Mob Travel to Mangkaja Arts Artsworkers Exchange - Barayuwa, Bawaltja, Ashanti & Whaiora

Going to Mangkaja Arts was a great experience for us. We learnt different culture, clan groups and their art on canvas.

We did workshops on slide photography, digital camera, AMS and canvas stretching. With slide photos we learnt how to do lighting and focus and how they are processed on to slide. AMS, inserting catalogue numbers and photos of the artwork for records and what has been sold. Stretching canvas, measuring canvas for an even to do projects e.g dancing and hope to see you all again. stretch, how to fold corners in workshops, and trips to the And also ANKAAA for the a tidy way. bush for troubled kids and opportunity for us to see new land rights etc. We also went things in the art world. On our visit to Mangkaja Arts on trips to Geiki Gorge and Photograph above: Standing, Paul we also meet some of the Fitzroy River fi shing. Miller, Tina Hobbs, Regis Pangiraminni, well known artists around Barayuwa Munungurr holding Ashanti, Australia, like Tommy May, On behalf of Buku crew we Bruce Bawaltja Munungurr, Terry Murray, June Davis, Mandy McGuire. Spider Snell, Maryanne like to thank Mangkaja staff, Seated, from left, Dolly Snell, Tommy Downs and they also gave KALACC and the community May, Daisy Andrews, Butcher Cherel, us some stories of the land. for the great experience you Mona Chuguna, Maryanne Downs, We also went to KALACC an gave us and the knowledge. Mervyn Street with grandson, Howard, Jean Margaret. Seated, front, Whaiora organization that helps people It was an honour to be there Tukaki.

Philip Gudthaykudthay Louise Partos, Bula’bula Arts Ramingining Philip Gudthaykudthay was one of only two artists awarded a Fellowship grant in 2006 from the Australia Council for the Arts.

Gudthaykudthay, the last active artist in Ramingining from the Milingimbi school of painters, also stars in the fi lm Ten Canoes.

Gudthaykudthay is currently preparing for a solo exhibition at “Aboriginal and Pacifi c Art” in September this year.

It is also anticipated that monies from the Fellowship will be used towards the production of a publication on his life and artwork.

Philip Gudthaykudthay painting a hollow log © Bula’bula Arts, 2006 Pumuralli Thunder & Lightning from Nguiu took the fi nal despite the very muddy oval, complete with obstacles such as visiting dogs and over excited fans. This provided much amusement to the loud and passionate spectators. © North

The artists and staff of the printed for the event. be a very social weekend Tiwi Art Network had a great – everyone working hard footy fi nal day on Sunday The guys at Tiwi Design and getting ready for the “ March 26. printed t-shirts for the 2 footy sale, enjoying the build-up teams in the fi nal which were and then taking pride in the p Tiwi Design at Nguiu, very popular amongst all the Art Centres when the sale Bathurst Island was buzzing footy fans from Darwin. commenced. We also got T with activity for the Tiwi some good media coverage Islands Annual Art Sale. There were many among us on ABC Radio, National K We had about 600 visitors who were hoping that the Indigenous Radio Service, to the Art Centre, coming to Muluwurri Magpies would the Koori Mail and the view and buy the art from win the grand fi nal after 37 National Indigenous Times. Jilamara, Munupi and Tiwi years. But I think the stormy “ Design. weather and crash of thunder All in all, it was a great day in the middle of the day was for Tiwi people – a chance C Each Art Centre had its own the sign that this was not to to celebrate culture – both space to sell its’ work, staffed be. traditional and modern. w by the artists and managers. Other artists & staff took The artists, dancers, staff and Special thanks to Michelle T to the BBQ preparations, managers came over from & Vokili from ANKAAA who is packing table and selling the the Art Centres on Melville gave up their weekend to t-shirts which were specially Island, so it turned out to come and help us out

Tiwi Design carvings at the sale The

Left to right - Tara Leckey, Robert Puruntatameri,

Susan Wanji Wanji & Thisby Purich TIWI ART SALE & TIWI ISLANDS FOOTBALL GRAND FINAL FINAL GRAND FOOTBALL ISLANDS TIWI & SALE ART TIWI orthern Territory Government

“The AFL competition started in the 1960s but we played long before that, and now we have many Tiwi people playing down south,” said Osmond Kantilla, Chairman of the Tiwi Art Network.

“On Grand Final Day, many people come to the Art Centre to look around. We want to show people what our culture is. We hope they will take some Tiwi art home to their families and tell them what it is about.”

The sale attracted large crowds

Declan Apuatimi, Niru Perera, Osmond Kantilla, Regis Pangiraminni, Stephen Moore & Fiona Puruntatameri Nina Puruntatameri Munupi Arts & Craft, Tiwi Islands

traditional design.

My paintings are based on our ancestors designs, so we here today keep our traditional designs strong and passing them on to the next generation.

My children, Russelina, Leon, Cassie and Jaydon watch me paint. They are keen on what I’m doing and they ask me, what’s the meaning of that painting?

Nina Puruntatmeri Jamutaka I come from Pularumpi, on take it home in a bucket or a amintiya Kumurrupunari - wet Melville Island. I was taught box and grind it with a fi le or season and dry season was to paint when I was ten years rough sandpaper, make all shown in April / May 2006 old when my dad used to do the colours. We heat up the at Aboriginal and Pacifi c Art, lots of carving and I used to yellow ochre on the fi re (using Sydney. paint on it, helping him. So a tin) so we make dark red, that’s how I knew about doing light red - like orange. Then Nina is also represented Tiwi designs on canvas with we start stretching a canvas by Raft Artspace in Darwin ochres because that’s what and learning how to use and Munupi Arts and Crafts we used in the early days. ochres on canvas. Association, Melville Island.

So fi rstly we go to our Before we start painting with Image - Purrkapali – Tiwi Creation grandmother’s country and the ochres we mix it up with Ancestor 120 x 80cm natural collect white ochres and we PVA and water and keep ochres on canvas, 2006 © The go to our grandfather’s land mixing it up as we go along Artist to collect yellow ochres. We and then we start painting our

Business Development Update Vokili Shiell, ANKAAA Business Development Offi cer The ANKAAA / DEWR consultants to work with them future of their Art Centres is Business Development in the coming months, with captured in the plans. Setting project is progressing well. others still in the process of aside time for this will become Two Art Centres have selecting the right consultant more challenging as the dry successfully completed new for them. season begins and the pace of three-year business plans life in Art Centres increases. under the project. Several In many cases, work to others, including Bula’bula prepare artists and staff for the Best wishes to those artists, Arts, Milingimbi Arts, Tiwi Art considerable thinking process staff and consultants who Network, Waringarri Arts and ahead is well underway to are to be involved in this Mangkaja Arts have engaged ensure that the strength of valuable process in the next or are close to engaging people’s ideas about the few months. Glen Namundja Rebecca Say, Injalak Arts & Craft An intense and serious artist, rock art. The fi gurative element Glen Namundja reveals the is essential to his work, the djang (dreamings) of his country complexity of his compositions a more easily through imagery key characteristic. Now however, than words. he is choosing to infi ll the entire background of his works with Often densely populated rarrk. with entwined fi gures, Glen Namundja’s paintings are Animals and fi gures swim on the imbued with a potency which is shimmering surface of the image, both compelling and confronting. challenging the eye to follow the Recent months have seen fl ow of fi gures and read the story developments in his style to within. It is a beautiful, effective stunning effect. merging of stylistic traits. The fi gurative element that engages As a practitioner from the western and captures the imagination of region of Arnhem Land, he has the viewer remains crucial to the abided by the traditions that bore image. the region’s work and Aboriginal Art to prominence in early days, An exhibition by three Namundja retaining the fi gurative style brothers will be held in Sydney Two Brothers Ochre on Arches Paper and unadorned background at Bandigan Art later this year. 2006 © The Artist synonomous with the region’s

Kunwarrde Bim - The Injalak Hill Suite Anthony Murphy, Injalak Arts & Craft In 2002, Injalak Artists expressed the ancient sandstone surface Nomad Arts contact a desire to return to the origins of the Arnhem escarpment. [email protected] of their art, eager to maintain the Bardayal Lofty Nadjamerrek is connection with its meanings and one of the few surviving rock art Left to Right: Gershom Garlngarr, infl uences. As Wilfred Nawirridj practitioners and painted a motif Wesley Nganjmirra (partly said, We need to go back before on the lid of each box. obscured), Gabriel Maralngurra we can go forward. (rear), Graham Badari, Joey Nganjmirra, Wilfred Nawirridj, The prints have been a project Amos Nganjmirra, Glen Master Printmaker, Basil Hall of Injalak Arts with BHE as the Namundja (rear), Roderick and Injalak artists devised to printer and Wendy Wood as Marlangurra. © Injalak Arts & collaborate in creating a set ceramicist. Craft 2006 of prints based on important images from Injalak Hill, a world famous rock art site, as a means of satisfying contemporary artistic forms with traditional allegiances. Signifi cantly, artists chose to etch their plates on Injalak Hill, surrounded by the imagery of their inspiration.

The concept included a limited set of prints being presented in ceramic boxes. Wendy Wood, a Darwin artist joined the project as ceramicist, individually casting the lid of each box to refl ect Maningrida Arts & Culture goes to Bahrain Apolline Kohen, Maningrida Arts & Culture

of the show and loved the Professional Development works so much that she for Samuel Namunjdja bought 5 artworks for the

Royal collection. For lots of Thanks to ANKAAA, Samuel ic visitors, it was the fi rst time Namunjdja was able to p they saw Aboriginal art and Apolline Kohen with the wife of embark on a trip to Melbourne the King of Bahrain they were fascinated by the on his way to Bahrain, to study fi ne rarrk cross-hatching and the National Gallery of Victoria the beauty of the artworks. Maningrida Arts & Culture collections, attend the opening

has organised the fi rst of Landmarks and give a fl oor hs Michael Jones, Aus Jones, Michael hs exhibition of Aboriginal Art in Samuel Namunjdja gave an p talk about his work. ra the Middle East, presenting interview to the magazine g Bahrain Confi dential while

bark paintings, hollow logs Photo in Manama, and made this Samuel worked with Judith and sculptures by leading Ryan, discovering the NGV Maningrida artists. statement: collections. He looked at the The exhibition took place Maningrida collection but was from the 9th of March to the There are many artists I also interested to discover 12th of April at the La Fontaine admire but our art comes other art such as works by Centre of Contemporary Art from the collected Pissaro that were being hung in Manama. memories of family while he was in Melbourne. members, it grows from Samuel also gained Samuel Namunjdja and the life we share and experience in public speaking; Apolline Kohen travelled to our cherishing of each he spoke at the opening night Bahrain to install the show, other. I don’t buy or of Landmarks, gave a fl oor talk attend the opening and collect other’s works. and a radio interview for SBS. educate the public about I live in the bush and Maningrida art. Samuel create art as a way of This newly gained confi dence painted two works while in in public speaking proved to Bahrain and showed people looking after my country be very useful when he was how he paints and his and showing respect to techniques. my people. Even though in Bahrain as he had to talk to times have changed us, lots of visitors and journalists. The Wife of the King of we remain the same and Bahrain came for a preview our traditions continue.

Works installed at the La Fontaine Centre of Contemporary Art in Manama Samuel Namunjdja discussing his work Jirrawun in the House Ken Watson, Jirrawun Arts Kununurra, W.A

Rusty Peters, Paddy Senator Rod Kemp, Rusty Peters and Senator Amanda Vanstone Photographs Michael Jones, Auspic Jones, Michael Photographs Bedford and Freddy Timms Jirrawun artists Paddy Bedford, Rusty Peters and Freddie Timms travelled to Canberra for the opening of the Jirrawun Arts exhibition “Jirrawun in the House – a Contemporary Experience from the East Kimberley.” The inspiration of Jirrawun private collections or were Brendan Hammond closed board member Ian Smith, recent paintings, including the proceedings with a few Jirrawun in the House was a group of ten gouaches on well-chosen words. both a diplomatic exercise crescent board by Paddy and an opportunity to explain Bedford. A multi-media Immediately following Jirrawun Arts’ philosophies presentation on DVD about the opening the Jirrawun and modus operandi to the Jirrawun Arts was shown in artists were welcomed politicians in Canberra, as the exhibition space for the into the Senate and from well as publicise Jirrawun’s ten days of the exhibition. there attended a series of commitment to Aboriginal meetings with respectively health and the formation of Ngambri elder Matilda the Member for Kalgoorlie Jirrawun Health Advocacy. House gave a welcome to Barry Haase, Senators country before M.C. Helene Natasha Stott Despoja and The exhibition was held in the Teichmann, chairperson of Rod Kemp, and fi nally the Presiding Offi cer’s Exhibition the Jirrawun Arts board of Shadow Parliamentary Area at New Parliament directors, introduced Senator Secretary for Reconciliation House in Canberra between Rod Kemp, Minister for the and the Arts, Peter Garrett. November 28th and Arts and Sport who opened December 8th 2005 and the exhibition, Senator During their time in Canberra featured work by all seven Amanda Vanstone, Minister the artists also visited the Jirrawun artists – Goody for Indigenous Affairs National Gallery of Australia Barrett, Paddy Bedford, at the time, also spoke, and met with several Peggy Patrick, Rusty Peters, making her widely reported people including NGA Rammey Ramsey, Phyllis statement that “Aboriginal Project Offi cer, Travelling Thomas and Freddie Timms. art is Australia’s greatest Exhibitions, Denise Offi cer The paintings on display cultural gift to the world.” and the Director Ron were selected from several Jirrawun Arts board member, Radford. Back Page News...

In March Stephen Hutchison left but also really interesting. Lucky for his position as I.T (Information me, my Manager, Barbara, is very Technology) Development Offi cer knowledgeable. at ANKAAA to take up the role of Manager at Elcho Island Arts & I was born and bred in Katherine and Craft. [email protected] completed my schooling here. After www.elchoartcraft.com the 1998 Floods I moved to Mount Isa, Queensland, and then onto Jason Dyson commenced work Normanton, Far North Queensland, at ANKAAA on May 22nd as the where I worked at the Carpentaria Art Centre & ANKAAA staff ANKAAA I.T Development Offi cer Shire Council for Four years. participated in the Austrade E- business Workshop 2006 run by I am married with two daughters, the Darwin Export Hub in May. Mandy McGuire Mangkaja_ Shanae, 4, and Maddisen, 2. [email protected] is the new Manager at Mangkaja Arts, Fitzroy We decided to come to Katherine in Participation was supported by Crossing Indigenous Business Australia August last year and arrived a week (IBA,) the Department of before Christmas. Business, Economic and Regional Paul Miller Mangkaja_Exhibitions@b Development (DBERD) and the igpond.com.au is the new Exhibitions I am certainly going to enjoy my time ANKAAA VACS funding through Coordinator at Mimi and look forward to what the Arts NT and ATSIAB Australia future holds.

Council. Hi, my name is Shannan Klaas (nee Kelly.) I am the new Administration Art Centre Staff travelled in from Offi cer at Mimi Aboriginal Arts Yirrkala, Anindilyakwa, Elcho Island, & Crafts in Katherine. I have Ramingining, Maningrida, Katherine, been working at Mimi for 4 weeks Ngukurr & the Tiwi Islands & were now and am enjoying the new joined by Desart members & other experience. I have never worked in industry professionals. Arts before so it’s quite a challenge,

ANKAAA Executive & Staff

Gary Lee Darwin based artist & Stephanie Hawkins Manager curator, Individual Artists [email protected] Freddie Timms Jirrawun Arts Michelle Culpitt Industry Kimberley Region Development Offi cer Tommy May Mangkaja Arts [email protected] Kimberley Region Vokili Shiell Business Richard Birrinbirrin Bula’bula Development Offi cer Chairperson Djambawa Marawili Arts Arnhem Land Region Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Arnhem [email protected] Land Region John Mawurndjul Maningrida Arts Jason Dyson Information & Culture Arnhem Land Region Technology (I.T) Development Vice Chairperson John Martin Offi cer Tipungwuti Jilamara Arts & Craft Jeannie Herbert Mimi Arts & Crafts Tiwi Islands Region Katherine Region [email protected] Secretary Peggy Griffi ths Regis Pangiraminni Munupi Arts & Erica Luchich Offi ce Manager & Waringarri Aboriginal Arts Crafts Tiwi Islands Region Bookkeeper Kimberley Region Osmond Kantilla Tiwi Design, Tiwi [email protected] Treasurer Alice Snape Coomalie Islands Region Industry Development Offi cers for Cultural Centre Katherine Region Karen Mills Darwin Based Artist the Kimberely & Katherine regions are currently being recruited. Public Offi cer www.aboriginalart.org