By Pedro Wonaeamirri. This exhibition, Pumpuni Jilamara, brings together the Art Gallery of New South Wales' collection of Tiwi art that spans five decades, and demonstrates an enduring relationship with Melville Island artists in particular.
by Pedro Wonaeamirri, Artist and President of
Jilamara Arts, Milikapiti, Melville Island
Yiribana Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Gallery at the
Art Gallery of New South Wales
The Tiwi people live on Bathurst and Melville Islands, 20
minutes flight from Darwin off the north coast of
Australia.
This exhibition, Pumpuni Jilamara, brings together the Art
Gallery of New South Wales' collection of Tiwi art that
spans five decades, and demonstrates an enduring
relationship with Melville Island artists in particular.
The Art Gallery is delighted Pedro Wonaeamirri is coming to
Sydney to open this exhibition. He is a strong advocate for
cultural maintenance, and is one of the few young Tiwi who
speak the classic 'Old' Tiwi language.
As well as being the President of Jilamara Arts, the
artists' cooperative at Milikapti on Melville Island,
Womaeamirri is a well-recognised artist. In 1999 the Art
Gallery of New South Wales purchased a group of six Tutini
(Pukumani graveposts) that were exhibited in Australian
Perspecta that year.
"Tiwi art, in its myriad yet distinctive expressions,
celebrates a unique culture. It is the thread that links
the ancestors of the past to the artists of the present.
The Art Gallery of New South Wales is very fortunate to have
commissioned and acquired such as significant collection of
early and contemporary works representing the Tiwi people,"
said Hetti Perkins, Curator of Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander Art at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
on Friday 5 July 2002 at 12noon
PUMPUNI JILMARA will be on view to the public from Saturday
6 July 2002 until Sunday 5 January 2003
Hours 7 days a week 10am to 5pm
(closed Christmas Day and Easter Friday)
Admission free of charge
(admission may be charged for some exhibitions)
___________
EVENTS
MONDAY 8 JULY at 6pm
Friends of Yiribana NAIDOC Event
Discuss the historical development and current state of Tiwi
art including the role and enduring relationship the Art
Gallery of New South Wales has with the Tiwi people.
Join Pedro Wonaeamirri, long time supporter of the Art
Gallery, Margaret Tuckson, Judith Ryan, senior curator at
the National Gallery of Victoria and Ken Watson, assistant
curator at the Art Gallery of New South Wales.
Tickets $30 each, bookings essential 9225 1878
GALLERY FLOOR TALKS
WEDNESDAY 10 JULY at 1.30pm
Join Tiwi artist Pedro Wonaeamirri for an enlightening floor
talk to gain an insight into Tiwi art.
Admission free. No bookings
WEDNESDAY 17 JULY at 1.30pm
Join Jonathan Jones, Education Officer, Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Art, to discuss the exhibition
Pumpuni Jilamara.
Admission free. No bookings
FREE GUIDED TOURS
MONDAY to FRIDAY commencing at 11am
FREE PERFORMANCES
TUESDAY to SATURDAY commencing at 12noon
FREE FILMS
A selection of documentaries and short films focusing on
Tiwi art and culture
Domain Theatre, Art Gallery of New South Wales
WEDNESDAYS and SATURDAYS from 23 October to 9 November
SCHOOL HOLIDAY EVENTS
TIWI ART WORKSHOPS
MONDAY 8 to FRIDAY 12 JULY 10.30am to 12noon
Tiwi Jilamara Tiwi Art Workshop (5-9 years)
Share stories and create art with Tiwi artist Pedro
Wonaeamirri. Discover how to represent your own identity
and experiences by making objects that symbolise the self.
Admission $15. Bookings essential 9225 1740
Tiwi Jilamara Tiwi Art Workshop (9-13 years)
THURSDAY 11 JULY 2pm to 4pm
Share stories and create art with Tiwi artist Pendro
Wonaeamirri. Participants will be challenged to create
artwork, through identifying icons and patterns that
represent the self.
Admission $20. Bookings essential 9225 1740
General Information for Events 9225 1744
Art Gallery of New South Wales
Art Gallery Road
Sydney NSW 2000
Australia
Telephone 61 2 9225 1744
National Toll Free 1800 679 278