IN OCHRE (expired event)

An exhibition of ochre paintings, carved boab nuts and objects by artists from the Waringarri Art Centre in Kununurra and the Kira Kiro artists from Kalumburu in the north east Kimberley region of WA

If you’ve travelled north into remote Western Australia, you will be aware of the changing landscape the further north you head. So too with the art. As you travel to isolated art centres located throughout coastal and desert communities you notice styles and materials change from from acrylic to ochre.

IN OCHRE, Artitja Fine Art Gallery’s next exhibition, which opens on 11 October at Earlywork in South Fremantle, is a unique presentation of paintings by Kimberley artists from Kununurra and Kalumburu, three of whom will be present for the opening.

Gallery Director Anna Kanaris explains that it is not often that ochre paintings are the sole focus of an exhibition in Perth.  “There are over 30 paintings in the exhibition and logistically it is quite a commitment to transport them over such a vast distance.  They are all on the frame, so planning and handling needs to be precise”.

The exhibition has a varied aesthetic with a notable difference in style from each community. The Kununurra based Waringarri artists are Mirrawong people who were removed from pastoral leases in the late 60’s and then displaced as a result of the building of Lake Argyle, which meant they settled in and close to the town. 

Motivated by the cultural responsibilities of maintaining connection to their country, these artists paint their Dreaming depicting the sacredness of the land. Much of the imagery is of  maps relating to rivers, hills and open plains.  Within those maps lies a deep knowledge of the artists relationship to the land.

The Kira Kiro artists from Kalumburu on the north Kimberley coast are Kwini people whose art practice is grounded in the rock art tradition, particularly the Wandjina - the ‘rainmaker’ - and the Kira Kiro or Gwion Gwion figures, sometimes referred to as the Bradshaw figures.  Sea life, land animals, flora and bush foods as well as the spiritual figures float around the canvas of these paintings, radiating a strong sense of spirit and care for the land and its creation.

The selection of works for the exhibition was motivated by a visit to the art centre in Kununurra but Anna explains there was further inspiration behind her selection. “Seeing the Wirnan installation by the Waringarri artists and Kira Kiro’s Betty Bundamurra’s paintings at the the Desert, River, Sea exhibition earlier in the year at the Art Gallery of WA was mind blowing.  I knew I had to include Betty’s paintings in the show, so what an honour it is to have Betty as one of the visiting artists!” she said.

Dora Griffiths, artist and Chairperson of the Waringarri Art Centre and Sylvia Djanghara from Kira Kiro Art Centre  will also be in attendance.  CEO of the Aboriginal Art Centre Hub of WA, Chad Creighton will open the exhibition.