An exhibition that brings together Aboriginal artists who work with expanded notions of textile and craft-based tradition will open at the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT (MAGNT) this Saturday.
MAGNT Director, Pierre Arpin said string theory: Focus on contemporary Australian art explores innovative approaches to fibre and art in a contemporary context and presents a range of artworks from sculpture to photography, painting to video.
“The exhibition features the work of over 30 artists and artist groups from all over Australia including several artists from the Northern Territory,” Mr Arpin said.
One such work by Ramingining artist, Frances Djulibing, Yukuwa (feather string yam vine), is an intricate installation of beautifully handcrafted string made from banyan fibre, which represents a yam vine.
Other NT artists featured in string theory are Djuwakan (DJ) 2 Marika (Nhulunbuy), Yarrenyty Arltere Artists (Alice Springs), Tjanpi Desert Weavers (NPY Lands), Jean Baptiste Apuatimi (Melville Island), Robyn Djunginy (Ramingining), Lipaki Marlaypa (Yirrkala), Dhundunga 2 Mununngurr (Yirrkala), Regina Pilawuk Wilson (Peppimenarti), and the Yirrkala Printmakers.
The exhibition’s curator Glenn Barkley said, “string theory is a scientific principle that posits a theory of everything, it implies expansion and connection across time and space, porous and open-ended embracing diverse approaches to the idea of ‘fibre’ or craft-based disciplines”.
string theory: Focus on contemporary Australian art opens to the public on Saturday, 8 March and will continue until 13 July 2014.
There will be a curatorial floor talk with Glenn Barkley, Senior Curator Museum of Contemporary Art, at 11am Saturday, 8 March.
MAGNT is located at Bullocky Point and is open Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm and weekends and public holidays 10am “ 5pm.
The exhibition is organised and toured by the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body. Tjanpi Desert Weavers’ project has been supported by Gandel Philanthropy and the Nelson Meers Foundation.
