Thursday, 23 September - Saturday, 13 November 2010

Warlu manu Ngapa - Fire and Water: New Australian Aboriginal Paintings from Yuendumu

Opening Reception:             6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
                                             Thursday, 23 Sept 2010

Please join us for our exciting exhibition of Fire and Water Dreamings by Australian Aboriginal artists from the central desert community of Yuendumu. The colorful abstract paintings reflect the importance both of bush fires and living water in the survival of the desert-dwellers.

Aboriginal groups rely on "living water," or water that flows even in the worst drought conditions, and often protect the secret sites where they find it. They also depend on bush fires, frequently ignited by lightning, to destroy dry grasses and drive small animals from the undergrowth. As the animals emerge, people hunt them for food. The bush fires regenerate plant growth, creating habitat for the animals, and ensure survival for the next season.

The show includes acrylics on canvas and Belgian linen by leading artists such as 95-year-old patriarch Paddy Japaljarri Sims, his wife, Bessie Nakamarra Sims, their son Otto Jungarrayi Sims, and elder Shorty Jangala Robertson, as well as emerging artists such as Felicity Nampijinpa Robertson, Topsy Napurrurla Fisher, and Dennis Japanangka Williams.

In addition to the new Yuendumu works, Booker-Lowe stocks hundreds of paintings and prints from throughout Australia, and currently houses the largest gallery collection in the Americas.

Susan McCulloch, author of Contemporary Aboriginal Art: The Complete Guide, noted:
"Yuendumu art has, from its outset in the mid-1980s, been notable for its use of bright colours and intricate patterns. . . .Yuendumu's paintings showed particular vibrancy and almost explosive coloration from the start."

Just in from Down Under . . .

Booker-Lowe has just received a small shipment from Australia of Susan McCulloch's latest edition of Contemporary Aboriginal Art: The Complete Guide, a lavishly-illustrated introduction to Australia's indigenous art world. The book is divided by region, and catalogues the growth of the art movement since its inception in the early 1970s. It is an easy and fascinating read as well as an excellent reference for the collector or anyone interested in Aboriginal art.

In addition, we stock Wally Caruana's Aboriginal Art, part of the well-respected Thames & Hudson World of Art series, and a select group of catalogues of major exhibitions by artists whose work we show.

Coming Soon . . .

Wednesday, 17 November 2010 - Saturday, 23 January 2011

Puuya Kuntha – Strong Heart: New Works by Aboriginal Artists from the Lockhart River Art Gang

Please plan to join us on Wednesday, 17 November, for the opening of our third exhibition of paintings by members of the Lockhart River Art Gang. Since they exploded onto the contemporary Aboriginal art scene a decade ago, this group of painters from northern Queensland has astonished the international art world. Patrick Butcher, whose work has sold out at recent exhibitions, will attend the opening and perform traditional dances!