A three-week exhibition of over 100 major works of Aboriginal art from Western Arnhem Land in Australia’s Northern Territory will be on display from 21 September to 7 October at the Bargehouse Gallery, on London’s South Bank.
RARRK – LONDON will present over 100 paintings and sculptures by 15 different artists who are creating some of the most dynamic Aboriginal art to come out of Australia in recent years. The exhibition will include multiple sculptural installations, video, and a selection of more than 30 bark paintings – some over 2m in height.
Josh Lilley Fine Art, in conjunction with Maningrida Arts and Culture, a Northern Territory community based art centre, responsible for the cultural assets of the Aboriginal people in the Maningrida region, has organised the exhibition which is being supported by Tourism NT.
RARRK – LONDON is evidence of the growing international status of Aboriginal art as a vibrant contemporary art form. The exhibition will include painting and sculpture by the internationally acclaimed John Mawurndjul, as well as works by leading artists Samuel Namunjdja and Owen Yalandja.
This is the first time a major survey exhibition of their work has been conducted in London and the exhibition aims to address preconceptions of Aboriginal art as being purely ethnographic or anthropological. An extensive full colour catalogue featuring essays from contemporary art critics as well as Australian academics, will accompany the exhibition.
Robert Hardless, Regional Director Europe, Tourism NT said: “Aboriginal art is significant to everyday Aboriginal life in the Northern Territory. The creation stories, traditional laws and customs have been passed down through paintings and inscriptions for tens of thousands of years. We are working with Aboriginal artists and communities to offer art lovers and collectors opportunities to meet artists and to discover their ancestral heritage through their art work. Visitors can explore a number of newly created Aboriginal art trails to learn about remote art centres and discover natural galleries of ancient rock art within our world heritage national parks.
For more information visit: Australiasoutback.com or read more about Rarrk – London on Aboriginal Art News.
For a review of this exhibition read: Aboriginal Art goes Overseas: 3 Contintents, 3 Exhibitions.
