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Ernabella | Iwantja | Kaltjiti | Mimili Maku| Tjala | Ninuku | Tjunga Palya There are seven art centres in the Lands, Ernabella the oldest (established in 1948), Mimili Maku the newest (re-established in 2007). All but one of the art centres are autonomous, with its own management committee employing staff, overseeing policy development and managing the overall affairs of the centre. While lack of funds means that most of the art centres are based in very basic buildings with minimal facilities and equipment, they are exceptionally vibrant places, with artists pursuing their craft as a principal occupation and income source. The proceeds of art sales are returned to the artists and their art centres. Ernabella Arts Inc [ back to top ]
Pukatja Community is home to Ernabella Arts. In 1948 a craft room was opened and that centre has been operating continuously for sixty years, the longest running Indigenous art centre in Australia. The business became incorporated as Ernabella Arts Inc. in 1974. Ernabella Arts contributes enormously to the social, economic and cultural life of the community. Ernabella artists excel in a range of media and art forms. Their first work as hand loomed woolen cloth and hand pulled woolen rugs. Batik was introduced in 1971, becoming a signature art form. Representation of these batiks are in major state gallery collections around the world. In recent years the art centre has seen a growth in men’s participation, in both the ceramics and painting studios. Their contribution has been significant, and their paintings now represented in major public and private collections in Australia. Rug Commissions Batik also provides the design medium for a creative and commercial international partnership with Korda Brothers and Tai Ping Rugs and Carpets. This partnership enables unique design for rugs/carpets for which public or private commissions are welcome. One of the rugs grace the State Library of South Australia following a revamp of that institution in 2003. Ceramics For the past few years, Ernabella artists have been developing a ceramics studio, with the complete process of making greenware (the terracotta forms) and decorating being handled “in-house”. The ceramics – large urns, flatware and bowls – have received wide acclaim for their unique shapes and decoration, created both through scribing and the wax-resist method so familiar to the Ernabella batik artists.
Other media In addition artists produce limited edition prints on paper; paintings on canvas, linen and paper; and a range of unique functional and fine art ceramic ware. Ernabella artists are represented in all Australian states’ and national public collections; and overseas including the British Museum, Australia House and the Commonwealth Institute.
 Iwantja
Arts & Crafts
at Indulkana is the closest APY Lands art centre to the Stuart Highway,
being
only 8km west of the Highway and 55km north of Marla.
The centre is known for its large range of colourful limited edition prints created on-site. Originally lino printers, the artists more recently diversified their print making to include woodblocks, collographs, etchings, and monotypes, adapting contemporary media to reflect traditional values. Artists also create acrylic paintings on linen as well as jewellery and woodwork. Iwantja Arts & Crafts has an attractive range of manufactured products including t-shirts, cushion covers, bags and stationery. The Iwantja Community Gallery (housed within the art centre) stocks a wide range of local art and craft and showcases work from other APY Lands’ art centres and artists. The Gallery is opposite the Community School and welcomes visitors. Day permits are available to visit the Gallery (for Highway travellers) – but visitors must ring the art centre in advance to arrange permission to enter the Lands. Iwantja
Arts & Crafts
Kaltjiti Arts[ back to top ]
The Kaltjiti style evident in batik and paintings is evolving and includes ‘walka’ – the abstract and organic imagery that reflects the landscape and, more recently, exciting semi-abstract paintings that express Tjukurpa (Creation Stories) and contemporary life. Cross Cultural Project In 1997 Kaltjiti Arts began a cross-cultural exchange project with a family business in Kashmir. The artists’ designs are sent to Srinigar where highly skilled artisans translate the images onto exquisite chain-stitch kilims (rugs) and cushion covers and ornamental lacquer-ware boxes. These beautiful creations have been an outstanding success for the art centre and demand often outstrips supply. Kaltjiti Arts now has a range of more than 60 designs belonging to 25 artists that have been reproduced in rugs and cushion covers. This is a unique situation and is a genuine ‘fair-trade’ project that brings many benefits to the artists in Fregon and the artisans in Kashmir. Kaltjiti
Arts
Tjala Arts [ back to top] Tjala Arts is located at Amata Community in the western APY Lands. The artists paint imagery that can be interpreted in many ways depending on the viewer’s knowledge of law, ritual, culture, land, food sources and associated Tjukurpa or Creation Stories. Some paintings celebrate everyday life depicting the availability of food resources, the seasonality of the landscape and the location of water. Recent work has seen new innovations in imagery and style, moving from craft-based influences into the realm of fine, contemporary Aboriginal art. The introduction of brighter colours and larger stretcher sizes has been a catalyst for artistic development. Men and women elders as well as young artists regularly work at Tjala Arts. The artists work in a range of media including: acrylic paint on canvas; etchings; woodblock prints (punugraphs); designs on fabric; punu (wood carving); and spinifex/raffia baskets. Ayers Rock Scenic Flights offer special charter flights to the art centre. The trip is approximately 2.5 hours return from Uluru (Ayers Rock) to Amata for 6-8 passengers. For information and bookings please contact Ayers Rock Scenic Flights on 08 8956 2345.
Amata Community South Australia
PMB 261 Alice Springs NT 0872 Manager: Skye O’Meara Tel: +61 8 8956 2899 Fax: +61 8 8956 7090 Mimili Maku Arts [ back
to top ]
After several years lying derelict, the craft room at Mimili Community in the Everard Ranges was brought to life again in 2004 through a joint initiative of the community and Ananguku Arts and Culture.
The centre is currently experience a quiet painting revolution, through its new painting wave, which sees women and men of all age groups working together. The exquisite tjumpi (grass weavings) sculptures being produced by Mimili men and women, displays the great sense of humor many of the artists possess.
The paintings range from bush-tucker to wonderful contemporary designs and are finding a ready market. Mimili Arts is interested in supporting tours to the beautiful Victory Wells campsite near by. These tours offer an opportunity to visit the Lands and take in the exciting new happenings at the art centre.
Under the banner of Ninuku Arts, the artists of the most westerly communities in APY Lands – Kalka and Pipalyatjara – have found great success for their strong, story-based work. Ninuku Arts (ninu means bilby in Pitjantjatjara) is based in an old mud-brick building at Kalka and originated in 2004 as a “start-up” project for all five western communities (those now encompassed by Ninuku and Tjungu Palya) supported by a roving coordinator providing materials and sales services. So successful was that project in answering the long-standing needs of artists, two exciting new art centres were born. Kalka Community, PMB viaManager:
Bronwyn Taylor Tjungu Palya [ back
to top ]
Tjungu Palya is a collaboration of artists at Nyapari, Kanpi and Watarru communities in the western APY Lands. Originally part of Ninuku Artists (see above), it is now an incorporated body and operates from an art centre at Nyapari community.
Tjungu Palya artists have rapidly established a reputation for very fine art that is rich in story and arresting for its innovation and freshness. Demand for their work is strong and there are waiting lists for some artists’ work. Representation is provided by select Private Galleries and Arts Dealers in Adelaide.
The building of a new art centre at Watarru Community will commence soon.
Manager: Amanda Dent |
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Ananguku Arts is supported by: the South Australian Government through Arts SA; and the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body. Project support is also received from : The Department of Premier and Cabinet, Country Arts SA; and the Federal Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts. The Federal Department of Education. Employment and Workplace Relations.
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Kaljtiti
Arts is situated
in Fregon Community and was established to provide skills and artwork
activities for the women of the community when it was founded in the
1960s. The
artists – many of whom are represented in prominent public collections
– have a
history of active arts participation and are skilled in painting and
print
making. Within the centre is a large and attractive retail gallery
which has
become a must-see for visitors to the Lands.
