In conjunction with Spinifex Arts Project, Japingka Gallery is pleased to present new works from the artists of Tjuntjuntjara community. This is one of Western Australia's most remote townships, located in the Great Victorian Desert, and accessed via 660 kilometres of dirt roads to the east of Kalgoorlie. The community has traditional links to lands affected by the Maralinga atomic testing programme, and has settled back on their country in recent decades. Native title rights were granted in 2001 to an area of 55,000 square kilometres. The community closely manages the country under its stewardship, with regular trips into locations lead by custodians and elders. The paintings reflect with great strength and colour the custodial and kinship ties that bind the people and the land.

Early season rains began falling as the artists set out to paint for their exhibition, and everyone's minds began to wander to their ancestral country. Is the rain reaching deep into their country, filling the waterholes? Is their country healthy or ailing?

Most of the Wangkatjungka artists have been living away from their country for nearly sixty years. As exiles from their Great Sandy Desert homelands, the old people revisit it in their thoughts and in their paintings. Will their country to be soaked in water and bursting forth in green? A sense of rejuvenation and great exuberance emerged from this intense interaction between artist and memory resulting in a number of vividly coloured collaborative and individual artworks.

The Yinjaa-Barni Artists group from Roebourne in Western Australia's Pilbara district have been exhibiting together for several years. Their paintings emerge with a clear regional voice as they depict the stories and landscapes that are particular to their own area of the north west coast of the continent.

Named after the great kingfisher ancestor of his birthplace in the Great Sandy Desert, Luurn Willie Kews paintings in ochre pigments map out his country around Well 38 on the Canning Stock Route. The Luurn kingfisher spirit delivered the first people to the desert waterhole at Nyirla, and was then immortalised in the rock formations that surround the waterhole. Willie Kew is amongst the last bearers of the creation stories from Nyirla country, which gives his works both great urgency and great energy.

Small works form the Anmatyerre and Alyawarr women artists of the Utopia homelands north east of Alice Springs. The subject matter covers the microcosm of traditional desert life - intimate observations of plants and terrain, bush tucker and bush medicine, ceremonial designs and the kinship ties of family life.

In association with Warlukurlangu Artists, Japingka Gallery presents new works from the remote Tanami Desert community of Nyirripi and the neighbouring community of Yuendumu. This exhibition features exciting new works from Warlpiri artists Mary Anne Nampijinpa Michaels, Margaret Napangardi Brown and Ormay Nangala Gallagher amongst many others.

In this world first exhibition, Indigenous artist Rachel Malthouse has created unique glassworks by working directly with hot glass that is poured in molten form from the furnace. The process itself is thousands of years old, dating back to ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt, but is now being used in sculptural ways as a medium by Indigenous artists. The forms created are the artist's interpretation of traditional artefacts from the Atherton Tablelands in far north Queensland. The designs are taken from traditional clan motifs that were applied to shields and personal artefacts offering protective qualities for their owners.

Works from the gallery stockroom are on display during the early new year. Paintings by senior Indigenous artists include Walangkura Napanangka, Ningura Napurrula, George Ward Tjugurrayi, Ronnie Tjampitjinpa, Thomas Tjapaltjarri, Shorty Jangala Robertson, Kudditji Kngwarreye, Gloria Petyarre, Galya Pwerle, Kathleen Petyarre, Eileen Napaltjarri, and Janie Ward Nakamarra.

In association with Tangentyere Artists, Japingka Gallery presents the paintings and stories of Indigenous artists from the Alice Springs Town Camps. This exhibition of small paintings includes images of daily life in the homes and yards of the artists and their families. Also recorded are the memories of past times, including life on the mission settlements, where activities involved sewing together squares of discarded fabric into makeshift blankets.

The artists of the northern regions of Alyawarra country paint the hunting grounds and water holes of their traditional country, located around the Davenport Ranges, 450 kms north of Alice Springs. By combining the depth of landscape painting with the conventions of central desert dot painting, the artists create a shimmer on the painted surface that suggests the play of light on the vast distances of central Australia.

Linda Syddick Napaltjarri paints the great Tingari narratives of her ancestral homelands near Lake Mackay in the Gibson Desert. Linda incorporates images of her Pintupi country and of the spirits of her late relatives as a way to remember them and to proclaim to future generations that I was there. The artist also paints images of the great Christian narratives which she encountered at the Lutheran mission at Haasts Bluff, and her memories of her familys first contact with white settlement when they walked in from the desert in the mid 1940s.

These senior custodians of Womens Law have made substantial works that reflect on the traditions and roles of women in indigenous communities and on the customary practices that they uphold and maintain. The selected artists include Eubena Nampitjin, Makinti Napanangka, Walangkura Napanangka, Kim West Napurrula, Lorna Napurrula Fencer, Helen McCarthy Tyalmuty and Samantha Hobson. Their home territories range from Balgo on the western edge of the Tanami Desert, through the Western Desert to Central Australia, and on to the far north Queensland coast.

Anna Petyarre maintains a classic Anmatyerre style, representing her ancestral country with finely delineated structures that show the terrain of sandhills and ancient watercourses, often with markings that reveal waterholes and ceremonial sites. The artist is recognised for her fine painting technique, producing intricate and sensitive paintings that relate to her traditional culture and heritage.

The Watiyawanu Artists and the community at Mt Liebig have historically held close ties with the Pintupi artists of the Western Desert. Shorty Lungkata, Uta Uta Tjangala, Yala Yala Gibbs, Johnny Warangkula, Mick Namarari, Billy Stockman and Long Tom Tjapanangka have all at various times lived at Mt Liebig. The community is now confirming its reputation as a major art producing centre. Its senior artists include Bill Whiskey Tjapaltjarri, Wentja 2 Napaltjarri, Ngoia Pollard Napaltjarri and Lilly Kelly Napangardi. Younger and emerging artists also exhibit work that reflects the strong familial ties to the Western Desert art movement. This exhibition is presented in association with the Watiyawanu Artists of Amunturrngu.

The second part of Japingka Gallerys 2008 coverage of Utopia artists-includes work by Emily Pwerle, Galya Pwerle, Kathleen Petyarre, Gloria Petyarre, Abie Loy Kemarre and June Bird. The Utopia artists are recognised for their subtle colour and sophisticated constructs that reflect the natural world of their desert homelands. Ceremonial designs, bush foods and traditional medicine, seasonal changes to plants and country are all represented in the complex elements that underlie the best of Utopia paintings.

They share high profile artistic grandparents - Paddy Bedford and Jack Dale- and they share the joy of painting the cultural and personal attributes of their Kimberley home. Petrina and Kylie Bedford live with their family at Iminji community on the Gibb River Road in the west Kimberley. Now, under the watchful eye of grandfather Jack Dale, they have prepared their second exhibition of ochre paintings to be shown at Japingka Gallery.

Stumpy Browns boldly coloured renditions of her ceremonial country of Ngupawarlu sing out with an intensity that highlights the spiritual significance of this country to her identity as a painter and as cultural custodian. A senior Wangkatjungka law woman, Nyuju was born c1924 at Kukapanju, by Well 39 on the Canning Stock Route. When young she travelled north on the stock route to Balgo Mission and later to the Fitzroy valley. Stumpy began painting in the 1980s. Stumpys full brother was Rover Thomas. For both these distinguished artists their art is particular to Kimberley culture but with deep roots into desert culture.

Pintupi artist Eileen Napaltjarri is an esteemed second generation artist of the Papunya Western Desert movement. Born in the Haasts Bluff community in 1956, Eileen moved to the new community at Kintore in the early 1980s. Eileen began painting in 1999 after her mothers death. The main subject for Eileens paintings is her father's traditional country at Tjiturrulpa, a rockhole site west of Kintore. She represents this country with rhythmical parallel and arching lines of sandhills, occasionally disrupted with openings and waterholes. Her palette of rich and vibrant colours reverberates with tonal intensity.

A collection of collaborative canvases reflect the clan ownership of land and waterholes by Wangkatjungka artists who lived their early lives on ancestral lands in the Great Sandy Desert. The Canning Stock Route (begun 1906) passed right through their country, and the presence of survey men and stockmen who worked the track were to have a profound impact on the Wangkatjungka people. Many desert people followed the track into the East Kimberley, taking their desert culture and language into the cattle station country of the Fitzroy Valley.

Senior Anmatyerre artist Kudditji Kngwarreye bridges cultural boundaries with his contemporary interpretation of ancestral stories. Capturing the changing moods and seasons of his desert country with sometimes bright, sometimes subtle blocks of colour, his paintings sing in a way that is reminiscent of both Rothko and later works of his elder sister, Emily Kngwarreye.

Small and subtle works by selected artists of the Utopia homelands, displaying the diversity and finely tuned skills of this strong group of women artists. The exhibition includes works by Jeannie Mills, Patsy Long Kemarre, Judy Purvis Kngwarreye, Jedda Kngwarreye, Barbara Weir and Minnie Pwerle.

The first exhibition in Western Australia of the exuberant new paintings from the Warlpiri community of Nyirripi, 160 kms west of Yuendumu. Amongst the newly exhibiting artists, significant works are presented by senior artists Mickey Singleton, Margaret Brown and Paddy Lewis. These Warlpiri artists are presented in association with Warlukurlangu Artists.

New works from Titjikala community, 120 kms south of Alice Springs. Known for its lively and niave style in painting and sculpture, the community is currently struggling to come to terms with recent changes to government policy and the role of the Intervention in the community. This exhibition features recent paintings by Marie Shilling, who will attend the opening. This will be the first occasion that the artist has visited a destination outside her own community. Community artists are presented in association with Titjikala Arts.

Paintings from the Spinifex people played a central role as ethnographic documentation to establish their historical links over a 55,000 sq. km tract of desert country. The paintings that were begun ten years ago, have contributed to the successful outcome of their land claim in 2001. A decade later the Spinifex Arts Project continues to produce paintings that richly reflect the knowledge and culture of the people and the aspirations of the community.

Following on from its 2006 exhibition, Japingka Gallery presents an exciting new group of indigenous artists working in kiln-fired glass at the Glassmob studios. The luminous qualities of the glass come alive with the design and colour attributes created by the artists.

Mitjili is a highly recognisable stylist among contemporary Pintupi painters. She draws on the spear making Tjukurrpa from her father's country Uwalki, near the Kintore Ranges. Her distinctive iconography of repeated motifs represents the womens side of this Tjukurrpa, showing the trees (Watiya Tjuta) that provide the wood for spear shafts.

Warlpiri artist Maureen Hudson, was born in 1959 at Mt Allen, about 300 kms north west of Alice Springs. She began painting in 1988 and her work has been widely exhibited since then. Maureen draws on traditional Warlpiri Dreaming stories and locations, which she records with her own distinctive sense of colour and design.

This collection of small paintings draws on the collective memory of a group of artists who, in the 1940s, walked with their families from the Great Sandy Desert along the Canning Stock Route to the stations and missions at its fringes. As custodians of traditional country, they have recorded their waterholes and other landmarks. Seen together, this vibrant collection of works presents a jigsaw map of these artists ancestral lands.

The Stockman and the Medicine Man Part 1- Ngarinyin elder and former head stockman Jack Dale paints the Wandjina spirits from his country around Iminji in the West Kimberley. The Wandjinas are the creators of Wungud places and life. This remarkable series of paintings includes images of the Dreamings that underpin the re-creation beliefs in Ngarinyin culture.

The Stockman and the Medicine Man Part 2 - Major works by Pitjantjatjara elder and traditional healer, Bill Whiskey Tjapaltjarri. His dynamic canvases record traditional rockhole sites near Pirupa, Ayers Rock, and the tract of country he later travelled through to Areyonga and Haasts Bluff. In association with Watiyawanu Artists of Amunturrngu.

Smaller works by East Kimberley artists who re-visit the tradition of painting onto board with ochre paint. The painted boards are an integral part of Gija culture where they are carried on the shoulders of dancers during ceremony. More recently artists have followed the practice of painting onto canvas. The resulting works are an exquisite statement on Kimberley landscape and Gija culture.

Dennis Nona is one the Torres Strait Islands most important artists. Born on Badu Island in 1973, Nona was taught the traditional craft of woodcarving as a boy. He developed his skills to create the incredibly intricate and beautiful linocuts, etchings and sculptures that he has produced since 1989. Today Nonas images are central to a cultural revival in the Torres Strait.

Lisa Michls first exhibition in Western Australia showcases recent works from this north Queensland artist. Lisas connections are through her mother and grandmothers side to the Kokoberrin language group from the central west coast of Cape York Peninsula.

Father and daughter Churchill Cann and Charlene Carrington paint the history, landscape and traditional sites of Texas Downs, their home country. They are joined by Phyllis Thomas from the adjacent Purnululu (Bungle Bungles) region.

Utopia artists continue to produce some of the most innovative and diverse artworks currently produced in the Central Desert. As senior artists pass away, the tradition is constantly invigorated by new artists stepping up to maintain the quality of painting from the Utopia homelands.

Perhaps it is through her famous artist relatives, or just her own deeply etched memories of Pintupi life in the Gibson Desert 65 years ago. But Linda Syddick captures rare images of the spirits of her own ancestors and the Tingari spirits that moved through her Pintupi homelands. As an artist Napaltjarri relives the story of her own familys journey as they crossed the desert to meet the modern world in the 1940s. This epic saga also recalls the hardships of the Tingari ancestors whose own travels created the Dreaming tracks and sites of the Pintupi desert world.

Acknowledged as one of the great innovators of the Warlpiri art movement from Lajamanu, Napurrula was also both a fierce and gentle custodian of her culture. She painted the great Napurrula - Nakamarra creation stories from her birth place Yumurrpa. Napurrula at her best is recognised as an artist who used the full force of colour, carefully considering the impact as she laid down the paint on the canvas

With famous Kimberley artists Jack Dale and Paddy Bedford as grandparents, these young artists take naturally to painting in ochre. This is a taste of how the next generation may develop within their tradition.

Paintings from Wangkatjungka artists who left their desert homelands in the 1940s and traveled north along the Canning Stock Route or walked cross-country towards the Kimberley cattle stations. Collaborative paintings recreate the waterholes, the seasonal changes to country, and family links between clan groups.

We look close and far away at the same time- Alyawarra artists of Imangara community create landscapes of their home country near the Davenport Ranges north east of Alice Springs. Visions of the land captured in detail with strong but subtle colours.

Recent work from the community of Amunturrungu, Mt Liebig, presented in association with Watiyawanu Artists. Leading works by senior artists Ngoia Pollard Napaltjarri (winner of the 2006 Telstra Award), Bill Whiskey Tjapaltjarri, Lilly Kelly Napangardi and Wentja 2 Napaltjarri are showing alongside an emerging group of painters whose work reinforces the style and reputation of this community art group.

Japingka Gallery in association with Warlukurlangu Artists presents paintings from Yuendumu community. Yuendumu is placed on traditional Warlpiri lands 300 kms NW of Alice Springs on the Tanami Track. Warlpiri Dreaming stories appearing in the exhibition include- Water Dreaming, Mina Mina Dreaming, Budgerigar Dreaming, Old Woman Dreaming, Possum Dreaming and Ceremonial Pole Dreaming.

Minnie Pwerle & Teresa Purla - A series of small gem like works by the late Minnie Pwerle, alongside recent works by granddaughter Teresa, whose finely dotted surfaces recreate themes of Fire Dreaming and ancestral Country.

Luminaries showcases work by some of the most significant artists of the Central and Western Deserts, and introduces a few rising stars. The painters are diverse in their styles, but the impact of their art is universally profound. Luminaries suggests both the exuberance of the artists work as well as the high esteem in which the artists are regarded.

West Kimberley artist Heather Umbagai has prepared her first solo exhibition for Japingka Gallery. Heathers paintings are bright and freely worked images of her Kimberley homelands.

Dispossessed from their lands in the 1950's by the Maralinga Atomic tests and subsequently moved on to missions including Cundeelee and Warburton during the 1950's and 1960's, the Spinifex People have never lost contact with their land. In an attempt to recover their ancestral country, they began documenting family connections to waterholes and hunting grounds, and custodianship of ceremonial sites. Paintings showing these links formed part of their successful land title claim in 2001. The people have continued using their painting to reinforce their traditional culture and its deep roots into their homelands in the Great Victorian Desert. In association with the Spinifex Arts Project, this is the second Community exhibition at Japingka Gallery.

Judy Martin continues to create strong paintings from the Women's Ceremonial stories of her Warlpiri homelands. She focuses on stories from the Women's site at Mina Mina in the Tanami Desert, where Warlpiri women come together to re-enact the Dreaming story of the Ancestor spirits who journeyed across this country from Alice Springs.

Evelyn Pultara won the General Painting prize at the 2005 NATSIAA Telstra Awards, with her strongly coloured paintings representing Yam Dreaming. This is Evelyn's second solo exhibition at Japingka Gallery, showing some large as well as a series of smaller canvases that highlight her exuberant use of colour.

Jock Mosquito worked with Rover Thomas on ceremonial boards for the Kuril Kuril corroboree in the 1970s. Now having had a stroke, and at the age of 62, Jock is having his first West Australian solo exhibition. He has pared down his style to a minimal approach, and focused on landscapes rather than the more intricate desert designs of his earlier work. These Kimberley paintings, often using the rich colours of local bush ochres, are an extraordinary achievement.

Japingka's group exhibition of indigenous artists whose paintings are created predominantly in black and white. A wide ranging group of desert artists are participating, from iconic and highly collectable artists through to newer and emerging artists. Many are best known for signature styles that they have developed through their black and white paintings.

In association with the Titjikala Art Centre - Titjikala artists have developed a fresh approach to representing their history and their country. Brightly coloured paintings and whimsical sculptures show the lives of the artists and the landscapes they occupy.

Japingka Gallerys second solo exhibition by Kudditji Kngwarreye. The bold colour-filled paintings, on the theme of My Country, refer to the artists ancestral country on the Utopia homelands and to the Emu Dreaming sites, for which the artist is custodian. Kudditji is the younger brother of the famed Emily Kame Kngwarreye.

Innovative interpretations of traditional designs in kiln-fired glass by Sam Juparulla, exhibited alongside the artist's paintings.

Senior Kimberley artist Jack Dale provides an artistic snapshot of life in the West Kimberley since the 1920s. Jack paints his memories of working bullock teams, Afghan camel traders, life in the stock camps, Aboriginal incarceration, and most of all his detailed knowledge of Ngarinyin Dreaming sites of the Wandjina spirit. We are pleased to announce that Jack will be attending the opening of this seminal exhibition.

Peggy Jones, Flora Holt, Lindy Brodie, Susan Nelson.
In association with Julalikari Arts.

The community of Ampilatwatja is located 320 Kms north east of Alice Springs. The community art centre began in 1999 and artworks produced maintain a strong focus on Alyawarr lore, with a particular emphasis on the natural landscape.

The community of Utopia has a long history of artistic tradition and has produced some of the best-known Indigenous artists of our time. These include nationally and internationally acclaimed artists such as the late Emily Kngwarreye, together with Gloria Petyarre, Minnie Pwerle and her daughter, Barbara Weir. Utopia is now one of the most famous of all the Central Desert painting Communities.

New works in natural ochre pigments by the artists of the East Kimberley, including Jock Mosquito, Tommy Carroll, Billy Duncan, Chris Churchill and June Peters

In conjunction with the Warlukurlangu Art Centre, a major exhibition of new paintings by artists from Yuendumu is being hosted at Japingka Gallery in Fremantle. The exhibition is a celebration of the 20 year anniversary of the foundation of Yuendumu's art centre, and is a tribute to the role of Warlpiri artists in the modern desert art movement. Yuendumu Community is 300 Kms north-west of Alice Springs and is the major centre for Warlpiri artists of the Tanami Desert.

Japingka Gallery has curated an eclectic collection of major works by some of the best Indigenous women artists from the Western Desert. Featured Artists include: Walangkura Napanangka, Makinti Napanangka, Judy Watson Napangardi, Eunice Napanangka, Lorna Napurrula Fencer, Kim Napurrula West .

Traditional Aboriginal society is very complex. Structured by a number of systems that organize all aspects of life, these systems help give an individual their sense of place in their country and society. The systems vary, but most include kin groups (also called skin name) and moieties. Each individual is placed through birth in a kin group, or given a skin name which initiates their spiritual journey.

Across Skin examines the complex relationships between a particular Skin Group and how it is applied to the specific Dreamings associated with that Skin Group. In a society that did not possess a written language, art became one of the most important mediums for passing on received knowledge to the next generation.

Stories from Titjikala Japingka Gallery in conjunction with the Titjikala Art Centre (130 kms south east of Alice Springs) is mounting this stunning collection of forty small colourful Little Gem canvasses (30cm x 30cm). Depicting beautiful landscape scenes in and around Titjikala, these pieces feature the flora and fauna surrounding this desert Community.

This remarkable all women exhibition features the distinctive work of award winning artist, Lily Kelly Napangardi as well as senior Ngangkari (law-woman), Colleen Whiskey Nampitjinpa. Other highly sought after artists exhibiting include Wentja 2 Napaltjarri, Ngoia Pollard Napaltjarri (who will be making the long trip own for the official Exhibition opening), Lynette Corby Nungurrayi, Topsy Peterson Napangardi and a selection of other leading artists from the Community.

Watiyawanu Arts has been operating from Mt Liebig since 1990. It has been restricted in its capabilities by lack of outside funding. When artists began painting 15 years ago, they worked from home, with the support of community store manager Glenis Wilkins and Peter Malavesi. Early (now famous) artists included Billy Stockman, Long Tom Tjapanangka and Mitjili Napurrula. Not long after this, Lilly Kelly moved to Mt Liebig with her husband and family, and started painting her own canvases. Other women began to join the group, and it was the success in the late 1990's of Lilly Kelly's elegant and finely detailed Sandhills paintings that started to bring overdue recognition to Watiyawanu.

Linda Syddick, a member of the Pintupi people from Lake Mackay, W.A. and Evelyn Pultara from the Utopia Community north of Alice Springs are around the same age as both were born around 1940 and both experienced a very traditional upbringing in their respective Communities. However, they were subject to very different traditions, initiations and customs that are peculiar to their own Communities. Both artists paint the spiritual aspects of their country, but the treatment reflects their respective birthplaces.

Evelyn hails from Central Desert region of Utopia, some 270 kilometres north-east of Alice Springs. The highly collectable, Evelyn Pultara is the late, great Emily Kngwarreye's niece and Evelyn carries on her Aunt's legacy by painting large vibrant canvasses that depict the spirits associated with the now famous Yam Dreaming Series.

Japingka Gallery, Fremantle is bringing the exciting, innovative, Indigenous artist, Maureen Nampijinpa Hudson across from Mount Allen in Central Australia for her first solo exhibition in Western Australia. Maureen has already created a sensation in the Eastern States and overseas with her distinctive, subtle and sophisticated paintings of her Country.

The centre piece of this important new exhibition of over 40 new paintings, is a stunning and mesmerising major work measuring over 3 metres which depicts an aerial view of Maureen's country and all the spiritual and physical aspects of the Water Dreaming. This complex and beautiful painting transports us to a spot some five thousand metres above the land where we can gaze down and wonder at the intricate interplay between the different aspects of this diverse landscape.

Senior Alawa Community Lawman and Artist, Barney Ellaga is to make the long journey down from his traditional homeland in South East Arnhemland to the port City of Fremantle in W.A. especially for the opening of his first solo exhibition in this State. Barney Ellaga's reputation is already firmly established in the Eastern States after several very successful solo and group Exhibitions in Melbourne and his distinctive, colourful paintings are highly sought after. His work is already represented in the National Gallery of Australia and the National Gallery of Victoria.

Ellaga's new paintings consist of soft, stippled, lines of colour where each line represents a different aspect of his Country. This could be either a spiritual or physical feature of the land. The lines of colour pay homage to the many ancient rock and cave paintings in the Alawa region where the stippled, feathery lines represent the unevenness and roughness of the cave or rock walls. This is a very diverse part of the country with long sweeping rivers, lush vegetation and sweeping, sparse plains and Ellaga's paintings reflect this complexity.

Japingka Gallery is launching its 2005 Indigenous Fine Art Exhibition programme with an important exhibition of major new works by the leading artists from this remarkable and remote Community (270 kms north east of Alice Springs). Japingka Gallery has commissioned some of the best and most sought after Artists from Utopia to paint a mixture of significant, large and smaller paintings depicting the Artists' Country and the associated Stories for a new exhibition of stunning paintings in Utopia Revealed which opens at 6.30pm on Friday 11th February, 2005.

The Community of Utopia has a very long history of artistic tradition and has produced some of the best-known Indigenous artists of our time. Including, nationally and internationally acclaimed artists such as the late Emily Kngwarreye, as well as Minnie Pwerle, Barbara Weir, Kathleen Petyarre and Gloria Petyarre. All of whom are now represented in our various State and National Galleries and major private collections.

In what is a truly remarkable success story, and within the short space of just two and a half years, the talented artists of the Wangkatjungka Community (pronounced wongka-jongka) have overcome enormous obstacles to take their art and culture all the way from their remote Kimberley Community situated on the edge of the Great Sandy Desert to the acclaim of the urban art centre of the world, New York and the prestigious 2004 New York Contemporary Art Fair.

Since the Wangkatjungka Art Project began exhibiting around Australia, many of the artists have made the most of the opportunity to travel out of their country for the first time. Four of the Artists will be making the long trip down from the Kimberley to attend the opening of their Tali & Jila Exhibition and they are really looking forward to meeting new people and telling them the stories of their Country as depicted in their unique paintings. Not to be Missed!

An important Exhibition of powerful, new paintings by leading, senior Pintupi artists from the remote Gibson Desert/Lake MacKay region opens at Japingka Gallery on Friday, 15th October, 2004. These stunning paintings document and explore the legend of the ancient Tingari Cycle.

The mysterious "Tingari Cycle Dreaming" is a creation myth that refers to a group of ancestral elders who embarked upon periodic epic journeys through vast tracts of the Gibson/Western Deserts. As they traveled, they performed sacred and mystical rituals which opened up new land. The adventures of these Tingari groups are enshrined in numerous song and painting cycles which still inform the Pintupi people today.

Like his famous older sister, the late great Emily Kngwarreye, Kudditji Kngwarreye has a deserved reputation as an innovator and as a consummate artist. As an Ammatyerre Elder and custodian of many important Dreamings, Kudditji Kngwarreye has been actively painting since 1986. This was several years before his older sister took up the brush and transformed the Indigenous Fine Art Movement.

Around eighteen years ago, Kudditji became aware of the emerging Desert Art Movement which had been initiated and encouraged by teacher, Geoffrey Bardon in the nearby Papunya Community and was inspired to record his unique Dreamings and Stories of his country on the more permanent medium of acrylic on canvas. Kudditji's first paintings reflected his traditional upbringing and utilised the very fine dots and symbols indicative of the Men's ceremonies and Emu Dreamings from the Utopia region. His strong, traditional early work and distinctive style found immediate acceptance and recognition and was highly sought after.

A major and rare exhibition of the very important artist and senior lawman, Jack Dale from the East Kimberley region of W.A. The exhibition was officially opened Mr. Alan Dodge, Director of the State Art Gallery of W.A. (A.G.W.A.). and attended by the artist Jack Dale and his wife, Biddy.

Sometimes referred to reverentially as the Grand Old Man of the Kimberley, Senior Lawman, Jack Dale is one of the only surviving custodians of the great art sites of the mystical Wandjina spirits in the remote East Kimberley region of Western Australia.

Jack has sought to rediscover and relive his experience of bush life through his art. His artwork is a unique experience revealing a quick witted and honest man, often mischievous through subtly crafted humour reflecting his mastery of Ngarinyin - the language of his mother - as well as several other Kimberley languages and of course, his peerless knowledge of the majestic Wandjina.

Jack Dales paintings are a revelation. They not only record his vast knowledge of Spiritual beings that are virtually unknown bar to a few Elders and anthropologists, but also the early contacts and often fraught interactions with western culture. This is was truly remarkable exhibition that documents the sad passing of ancient knowledge and a whole traditional way of life.

This exhibition featured major paintings by two of the most respected and most collectable of the senior desert artists, Minnie Pwerle and Mitjili Napurrula.

Minnie Pwerle was born circa 1910 near the remote community of Utopia which is 270 kilometres north-east of Alice Springs. Minnies paintings are a joyful celebration of her country, Atnwengerrp and the associated womens Dreamings. Minnies paintings reflect and are drawn directly from the ancient and traditional breast and body paintings marking the Bush Melon and Bush Melon Seed rituals and dances.

Mitjili Napurrula on the other hand, paints the stories and rituals associated with her late father's country called Uwalki which lies in the Gibson Desert near the Kintore Ranges, west of Haasts Bluff. This country is characterised by red sandhills, bushes and trees including the beautiful desert oaks. Mitjili was taught her father's Tjukurrpa by her mother, who drew images in the sand of Uwalki. Mitjili has said that "My mother taught me my father's Tjukurrpa; that's what I'm painting on the canvas." Another of Mitjilis main themes is Watiya Tjuta (trees) which relates to men's wooden implements and artifacts. The 'Tjukurrpa' or Dreaming of these works concerns making spears, an important aspect of men's business; and the Straightening of Spears is a theme that was famously painted by her brother Turkey Tolson Tjupurrula.

A nationally touring exhibition of fine art prints by senior Aboriginal artists from Balgo Hills, Yuendumu and Lajamanu, that explores the powerful traditions of love magic rituals amongst the Kukatja and Warlpiri peoples of the Tanami Desert region.

These love magic rituals and ceremonies, involve the singing of secret love songs, the painting of special designs onto their bodies and the production of 'love objects' to perform these ceremonies.

It's extraordinary how two senior, well respected elders and artists, Nyuju Stumpy Brown, full sister of the late, celebrated artist Rover Thomas can have such diverse styles in interpreting their countrys' dreaming.

Whereas Rover Thomas painted spare, muted ochre canvasses, Nyuju Stumpy Brown, employs the full kaleidoscope of vibrant, bold, colour that reflects the living desert of her country. In particular, Stumpy uses a striking red hue that honours the traditional use of a special, strong red ochre called Pirlji which is only found in this region. However, like her brother, Rover Thomas, Nyuju Stumpy Brown is represented in the National Gallery and most State and many major private collections.

After the phenomenal international success of the late, acclaimed Ginger Riley from the remote Arnhemland region around the Roper River comes an exciting new wave of established and emerging artists from the Ngukurr Community. Telstra Award winning artist, Ginger Riley set the Indigenous art movement alight with his use of bright, bold primary colours in his sweeping landscapes which captured not only the country around Ngukurr, but the spirits that reside there.

Following in this exuberant new tradition are accomplished artists Gertie Huddleston, her sister, Angelina George and senior elder, Barney Ellaga.

A new and exciting style of Aboriginal art from a little-known but emerging community of fine artists is to feature in Japingka Gallery's forthcoming exhibition - Artists of Wangkatjungka from the Great Sandy Desert.

Wangkatjungka, is a remote community 125km south-east of Fitzroy Crossing. The inception of the Adult Education Centre in 1994 sparked a flourish of painting when a group of senior Wangkatjungka people began to record their Dreamings, history and culture in the medium of acrylics on paper. Since the initial flourish and the rush to embrace this new permanent method of recording and documenting their Dreamings, the Wangkatjungka Community has lived in the shadow of their more famous and established Kimberley neighbours at Balgo Hills and the Warmun Community.

The powerful paintings featured in Artists of Wangkatjungka are not only an important historical visual record but also a new creative force in the Indigenous Fine art movement. Featured artists include Biddy Baadjo, Nada Rawlins, George Tuckerbox, Luurn Willie Kew and Penny K Lyons.

In 1984 three young men, all brothers, were part of a small group of nine Pintupi speakers who made their first contact with white Australia when they walked out from their traditional homelands in the Western Desert. They left remote country west of Lake MacKay to walk into the small community at Kiwirrkura just inside the Western Australian border. The three men- the Tjapaltjarri brothers, Thomas, Warlimpirrnga and Walala, are part of a group of 12 highly respected Pintupi artists who will exhibit their paintings at Japingka Gallery in Fremantle from May 30.

The Pintupi artists have created some of the great iconic works of the Western Desert tradition. Their country ranges from the Western Australian border east towards the community of Papunya The most senior artists amongst this group currently exhibiting were born around 1930. They include Willy Tjungurrayi, from south-west of Lake MacKay, Johnny Yungut Tjupurrula from north-east of Kiwirrikura, and Makinti Napanangka, a senior woman from Lake MacDonald area.

The Community of Utopia has a very long history of artistic tradition and has produced some of the best-known artists of our time. Artists such as Emily Kngwarreye, Kathleen Petyarre, Gloria Petyarre and Ada Bird. All of who have featured in previous Japingka Gallery exhibitions.

Whilst it is believed that the name Utopia was bestowed somewhat ironically by the second wave of settlers to this (to European eyes) harsh Central Desert land situated 270 kilometres to the north east of Alice Springs, the community is now seen as an Utopia for desert artists.

This strong artistic ethos has resulted in an incredible depth of talent within Utopia not seen in any other community. Japingka Gallery has chosen four of these artists who represent not only the talent within Utopia, but also the diversity of styles and dreamings associated with this remote desert region.

Japingka Gallery is honoured to present a stunning exhibition of works by the artists from the Tjuntjunju community, 700kms north-east of Kalgoorlie. The Hon.Richard Court ,former Premier of Western Australia, will officially open Putitja Nguru.

From the Dreamtime to Maralinga to the successful Pila Ngura land claim these historic painting document the experiences of the Spinifex People.

At around 79 years of age, senior Warlpiri artist, Lorna Napurrula Fencer, is producing some of the best and most exciting work of her career. Represented in the National Gallery, State Galleries and major private collections, Lorna's work has always been in strong demand, but recently she seems to have found a new freedom and joy of expression that actually radiates from her stunning canvasses.

Japingka Gallery is honoured to have the opportunity to present this remarkable body of new work by this exceptional artist to the West Australian public in this, only her second ever W.A. solo exhibition. We strongly believe Lorna to be a very important and pivotal artist to the Indigenous Fine Art Movement. We would rate Lorna in the top 5 of living Indigenous fine artists. This exhibition of unique, beautiful paintings and Dreamings is not to be missed.