Media Release – 20 August 2010

Exhibition dates Saturday 28 August to Saturday 2 October 2010
Exhibition Opening Wednesday 1 September from 5.30-8pm

All is Calm

A radiant exhibition of 25 new works by celebrated Indigenous women artists exploring
‘country in mind’. Each artist interprets facets of their own emotional journeys into personal landscapes.

Opening the first day of spring!

Whilst many Indigenous artworks often highlight the idea of going back to country, the selection criteria for these works more so alludes to a process of arrival… ideally to a better place - where all is calm - all is bright!

The mood of these works is still and serene - indeed several of the paintings are predominantly white in palette, or vivid monochromes, often pared back with a minimalist sensibility. Dorothy Napangardi (Warlpiri), Kathleen Petyarre (Anmatyerr) and Joanne Currie (Gungurri) are all award winning painters, whilst Jenny Fraser (Bandjalung) is an award winning new media artist showing digital based works. From geographically diverse origins – ranging from the salt lakes and spinifex heartlands of the Northern Territory, through the wind-swept lands and watercourses of Western Queensland to the eastern seaboard in Northern New South Wales – but common to all is a deep seated security and underlying confidence in the flora and fauna of their indigenous homelands.

Dorothy Napangardi has said: While I’m doing my paintings I always have my family in mind. I have my country in mind. A few years ago we went back to Mina Mina to see my country. We’re going back soon, for more singing, dancing, painting up, making our Jukurrpa. Mina Mina my country.

Kathleen Petyarre has said: Those early days...seem like a dream. When I look back on those days my happiest time [was] when I ran around that spinifex country carrying my yam stick and my fire stick. I really loved that old spinifex country.

Queenslander Joanne Currie Nalingu is more reserved, humble and diffident. Currie’s principal identity marker, in terms of place, is a watercourse, the Maranoa River, in south-west Queensland. Yumba Mission, on the banks of the Maranoa, is where Currie spent her early years. Joanne Currie Nalingu’s childhood was not as secure and untroubled as Petyarre’s: her identity was forged in a fiery crucible of familial alcoholism, violence and dysfunction. Dealing with the challenges of such an upbringing has endowed Joanne Currie with steely determination. A non-drinker, she unequivocally condemns excessive alcohol consumption and its inevitably devastating consequences (Christine Nicholls Ripples on the Water – Lines in the Sands 2010).

Jenny Fraser explores casual, candid but confronting photographic images of loss and lament with her Roadkill series. The works focus on the impact of progress and devastation. She says: With regard to the power of communication between people, the Super Highways and other road networks of Australia now could be likened to the ancient song lines of old, but with such devastation caused by our thoroughfare, what song are we offering to the victims? A death march? Clearly the minds of progress do not have much consideration for the movements and habits of our animals.

Through her powerful and beautiful paintings, Abie Loy Kemarre conveys to the viewer the sensitivity and strength she derives from her Dreaming… and her country.

For all information regarding these exhibitions as well as artist and gallery profiles you may visit
www.fireworksgallery.com.au.

FireWorks Gallery 52a Doggett Street Newstead
Director Michael Eather
Enquires michael@fireworksgallery.com.au mobile 0418 192 845
FireWorks Gallery is open from Tuesday to Friday 10am-6pm, Saturday 10am to 4pm, and by appointment.