ReDot Fine Art Gallery is proud to announce the 2nd Singaporean show of innovative works of the Martumili Artists.
Following on from last year’s first ever, sell out, international show we will be exhibiting the latest and most exciting works from one of the Western Desert’s newest and most refreshing Aboriginal art communities.
Martumili Artists was established in 2006 by Martu people living in the communities of Parnpajinya (Newman), Jigalong, Parnngurr, Punmu, Kunawarritji and Irrungadji. The incorporation was a lengthy process due to the desire to find the right balance between the production of public art and the protection of important cultural knowledge. The Martu people observed other communities and arts centres and engaged in long discussions until they decided what they would, and what they would not paint. This considered approach has reaped amazing results, as well as quick domestic and international recognition from the art community.
The Martu are the custodians of vast areas of Western Australia and they lived a pujiman (traditional) life in the Great Sandy, Little Sandy and Gibson Deserts and in the Rudall River area until the 1950’s and 1960’s when a severe draught and weapons testing programme forced them to move into settlements established by missionaries and the Australian Government. They are among the last Aboriginal people to come into contact with the white men and footage of first contact has caused intense interest recently in this area.
The works of Martumili Artists are grounded in strong cultural knowledge but its style is contemporary and modern, allowing these works to stand strong alongside any western comparison, drawing parallels with many established western artists. Sandhills and waterholes and areas around the Canning Stock Route are depicted in abstract, raw, colourful, sometimes naïve, sometimes intense, maps of land and country. They are some of the most innovative artworks being produced in Australia today, possessing strong cultural significance which has led to demand being high since the establishment of a gallery exhibition programme with most shows sold out quickly.
Martu artists now have their works placed in significant collections including the National Gallery of Victoria, The National Gallery of Australia, Artbank, the Art Gallery of New South Wales and the National Museum of Australia as well as most private collections of Aboriginal art. The Adelaide Biennale will present a beautiful large collaborative work by the senior artists, many of which will be showing here in April, again their only international show in 2010.
New works from Milly Kelly, Bugai Whylouter, Nancy Chapman to name but a few will all be on show at our Keppel Road premises, along with many other amazing canvases.
