Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Subject matter ranged from identity politics, land and cultural rights, stolen genera-
tions and cultural revival, and the media included paintings, sculpture, textiles, photo-
media and film, new media and installation and conceptual work. Works on paper have
long been created by artists from all regions across the country - urban, rural and remote
- with many art centres producing their own works on paper or working with specialist
organisations. Fine art prints are now produced by many artists and communities, assis-
ted by master print-makers and organisations such as Northern Editions at the Charles
Darwin University. These works of art are sought after due to their affordability.
Emily Kame Kngwarreye (c 1910-96), an Anmatyere elder, was an incredibly prolific
artist and a supernova on the contemporary art scene. Kngwarreye is represented in
every major public collection in Australia and in 1997 she posthumously represented
Australia at the Venice Biennale with Yvonne Koolmatrie and Judy Watson.
Discussion has long surrounded the 'contemporary' vs 'traditional' debate, but per-
haps the biggest change has been the involvement of indigenous curators of Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander art working in artist-run spaces, state and federal public art gal-
leries and museums, which ensures that visual art and culture is presented from an indi-
genous perspective.
There are many wonderful opportunities to view the latest developments in contem-
porary Aboriginal art. See the Major Indigenous Art Festivals boxed text, below.
MAJOR INDIGENOUS ART FESTIVALS
The Telstra
In August each year, the Tels
r Art
Award (the Telstra;
www.artsandmuseums.nt.gov.au/museums/natsiaa
)
is a ma-
jor event on the national visual arts calendar. In 2013 it will celebrate its 30th an-
niversary, making it the longest running indigenous art prize in the country. Held at
the Museum & Art Gallery of the Northern Territory in Darwin, the exhibition show-
cases contemporary art by indigenous artists from all over Australia. It runs to the
end of October each year.
elstra Na
a Natiional Ab
al Aboriigiinal & T
al & Torres St
s Strait Isla
it Islandder A
Desert Mob
Smaller than the Telstra, the Desert Mob exhibition packs a whole lot of (he)art and
soul into its annual showcase of contemporary work from central Australia. Hosted
by the Araluen Arts Centre in Alice Springs, Desert Mob
t Mob
