Living Art from Ancient Land will feature works by five leading artists of Elcho Island, most of whose works are in museum collections. The exhibition will include paintings by Peter Datjing, paintings and prints by Margaret Gudumurrkuwuy, Spirit Men sculptures by Jeremiah Bonson, bark paintings by Richard Gandhuwuy, soft sculpture by Mavis Warrngila Ganambarr. These artists have achieved high reputations in Australia and internationally. This exhibition is their first in Malaysia.
As part of the exhibition, Dr. Susan Cochrane, an international authority of Pacific Art, will speak at the Gallery’s Vision Culture Lecture, (sponsored by HSBC, the Australian HC and UNESCO), on the history and current practises of Aborginal art, particularly in Elcho Island.
HE Miles Kupa, Australian High Commissioner to Malaysia, will open the Exhibition.
(Simultaneously, works by these artists will be shown at the Rebecca Hossack Gallery, London.)
SUSAN COCHRANE
Susan Cochrane is a curator, researcher and writer specialising in contemporary Aboriginal and Pacific art. Well known as a curator of major exhibitions of Pacific art, she has also published extensively on contemporary art of the Oceanic region.
Susan is currently with the Elcho Island Arts in Arnhem Land, which is the heartland of superb artistic traditions of Yolgnu people. Her present commitment is promoting fine art by prominent Australian Aboriginal artists to international audiences.
About Elcho Island:
Elcho Island Arts is a Yolngu owned Aboriginal Art Centre located in remote Galiwin’ku, the main community on Elcho Island which is situated off the coast of north east Arnhem Land in the Northern Territory (approximately 550km north east of Darwin in the Arafura Sea).
Elcho Island is known worldwide for its many cultural exports. Famous artists who call Elcho Island home include ARIA award-winning musician Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu, the cheeky Chooky Dancers, and visual artists who create Aboriginal fine art that is exhibited and held in major collection nationally and internationally.
The art centre, which has been community managed since 1992, works with and purchases art from more than 150 Yolngu artists from the surrounding region and supports them to create high quality traditional and contemporary visual art from which they can derive an income and share their culture.
Over its history Elcho Island Arts has earned a strong reputation for the quality of work produced by its artists who maintain strong links to clan totems, pride themselves on originality of design and utilise traditional bush materials and natural earth pigments and fibres.
Website: www.shaliniganendra.com