Ernabella Ceramics exchange program with Tiwi Design potters

Two of Ernabella Arts’ young ceramics trainees spent two weeks on Nguiu Island (Tiwi Islands) in May 2008 working with Tiwi potters at Tiwi Designs and Munupi Arts and Crafts. Ngunytjima Carroll and Kunmanara Evans are the first participants to be involved in the Indigenous Ceramics Network Exchange Program, involving the three remote Indigenous ceramics studios of Ernabella, Hermannsburg and Tiwi Islands. The exchange trip in May was the first phase of the three phase program that will span twelve months. Phase 2 will take place in April 2009 and involves two weeks at Ernabella for two representatives from the Tiwi Islands and two representatives from Hermannsburg working with Ernabella artists. This will be a relatively unstructured program with participants encouraged to try the various different skills brought to the workshop by the three communities.

Representatives from the ANU staff (1) and students (2) will be present to get to know the artists and their culture before relocating to Canberra. Finally, during Phase 3, two representatives from the Tiwi Islands, two representatives from Hermannsburg and two young men and two women artists from Ernabella will spend two weeks at the ANU in Canberra in May 2009.

This will be a more structured program to take the various artists out of their comfort zone of their usual work to explore and extend their creativity. At the end of this program an exhibition of the work produced from all phases of the project will be mounted in Canberra either at the ANU gallery or the Canberra Potters Society gallery. Mr Carroll and Mr Evans thoroughly enjoyed travelling to the Tiwi Islands.

Alomg with all the new skills the obtained in the pottery studios, they were also introduced to experiences such as fishing and hunting turtle. This incredibly worthwhile project was devised by Mr Geoff Crispin (Project Manager of Ernabella Arts’ Ceramics studio 2005-6), is coordinated by Ernabella Arts and funded by the Australia Council, Rio Tinto, the ANU and the South Australian Government.

Upcoming Ernabella Arts exhibition: 19th August @ Indigenart, Perth – 115 Hay St, Subiaco

Ernabella Arts senior painters are exhibiting in Perth for the first time at the Mossenson Gallery, Indigenart. Works by senior men Dickie Minyintiri and Harry Tjutjuna will be shown alongside new works by senior women – Amany Haggie, Ungakini Tjangala, Tjariya Stanley, Pantjiti Lionel, Yurpiya Lionel, Niningka Lewis, Renita Stanley and Alison Carroll.

Ernabella Arts is excited about this new partnership with Mossenson galleries and artists are excited about travelling to Perth for the opening in August.

For further information contact Indigenart on
(08) 9388 2899 or art@mossensongalleries.com.au
or visit www.indigenart.com.au

Nganampa walka wiru (Our work is beautiful) Exhibition @ Cudgegong Gallery, Gulgong, NSW from September 6, 2008

Ernabella Arts is honoured to be invited to exhibit a range of works across their specialist mediums at the Cudgegong Gallery in Gulgong. Gallery Director Lyn Cole travelled to Ernabella in June and selected works from a collection of paintings on canvas/linen, ceramics, batik, limited edition prints on paper and woven works. It is an excellent opportunity to have Ernabella work exhibited at a location in the eastern states at the same time as it is showing works in Ernabella for its 60th anniversary celebration in the community of Ernabella.

As all art mediums practiced at Ernabella will be shown at Cudgegong, about 30 artists will be represented and presents a wonderful opportunity for some of Ernabella’s emerging artists.

For further details, contact Cudgegong Gallery on
(02) 6374 1630 or visit www.cudgegonggallery.com.au