Image: Right
Daniel Walbidi, Kirriwirri, 2014, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased 2014, © Courtesy the artist and Short St Gallery, Broome
Image: Left
Daniel Walbidi, Kirriwirri, 2013, National Gallery of Australia, Kamberri/Canberra, purchased with the assistance of Susie Maple-Brown AM and the late Robert Maple-Brown AO; Bill Guy and Kate Guy; Ralph Renard and Ruth Renard; Mike Woods and Kaely Woods 2013, © Courtesy the artist and Short St Gallery, Broome
Swan Hill Rural City Council, together with the Art Gallery of Swan Hill, is delighted to welcome a major loan of First Nations artworks as part of the Australian Government's Sharing the National Collection program.
Desert landscapes and striking sculptural works by leading First Nations artists will be on display at the Art Gallery of Swan Hill, offering local audiences a rare opportunity to experience significant works from the national collection.
Gallery Director, Ian Tully said that on display in the foyer of the Gallery's newly redeveloped space will be four large-scale sculptural works by Tiwi artist Jock Puautjimi and two paintings by Yulpariji and Mangala artist Daniel Walbidi.
"Puautjimi's sculptures, created in collaboration with glass artist Luna Ryan at Canberra Glassworks, combine crystal glass, metal and rubber. The works feature imagery from his Tiwi Islands homeland, bringing together traditional stories and contemporary techniques.
"Walbidi's paintings, titled Kirriwirri, reflect the desert landscapes of the Kimberley region in Western Australia. The works reference jila (living water) near Well 33 on the Canning Stock Route in the Pilbara region, expressing strong cultural connections to Country," Mr Tully said.
The exhibition will launch on Tuesday, 7 July from 6pm to 8pm, with Tina Baum, Head Curator of First Nations Art at the National Gallery of Australia, in attendance.
Mr Tully said the loan represented an exciting cultural opportunity for the region.
"Sharing the National Collection is a remarkable initiative that allows regional communities, like ours, to experience outstanding works from across Australia. This exhibition strengthens our ongoing commitment to showcasing the richness and diversity of First Nations art," he added.
The loan has been made possible through the Australian Government's Sharing the National Collection initiative, part of the Revive: Australia's National Cultural Policy.
The program provides funding to support the transport, installation and care of artworks from the national collection, ensuring they can be experienced by communities across Australia, including regional areas.
The works will be on display at the Art Gallery of Swan Hill for an extended period, offering residents and visitors ample opportunity to engage with these significant pieces.
