Above:
By Casey Neill
BURRINJA will this month become the first gallery in Australia to host a unique indigenous art exhibition.
Apmer Mwerrangker – beautiful country…ever present past will feature 23 etchings created by the Ampiliwatja community in central Australia’s Utopia region in 1999 and 2000.
It includes work from artists Dave Ross Apwerl, Lily Sandover Kngwarrey, Greeny Purvis Apetyarr and Freddy Jones Kngwarrey.
Burrinja executive officer Ross Farnell said the gallery was honoured and excited to be the first in Australia to exhibit the complete collection.
Narayan Kozeluh will open the exhibition at Burrinja at 7pm on Thursday 23 April.
Narayan spent more than 10 years as the arts centre co-ordinator at Ampiliwatja.
“Stories are food for an oral culture. They keep it alive and breathing,” Narayan said.
“These images on paper are more than just stories, they are major pieces of the skeleton – the very glue that holds everything together,” he said.
“I hope in some way this exhibition connects people to the beautiful land we live in and to the first people to walk upon this land.”
He will run three workshops at the gallery on 24 and 25 April.
“Narayan will bring us a better understanding of the culture that is the very essence of these works,” Mr Farnell said.
Session one at 11am on Friday 24 April will feature discussion on the exhibition, region, artists and works. Entry is free.
The second session will be held on Saturday 25 April at 10am.
Narayan will explore his 10 years as an arts co-ordinator in the Ampiliwatja community through both a presentation and chat.
A $10 entry fee includes morning tea in Burrinja Café. Bookings are essential.
Bookings are preferred for the $5 third session, Print making in the Desert from 2pm on Saturday 25 April.
Discussion will centre on how the unique works came about.
The exhibition program also includes essays, a film and photographs.
The Apmer Mwerrangker – Beautiful Country, Ever Present Past exhibition is on display at Burrinja, 351 Glenfern Road, Upwey from 23 April to 5 July. Entry is free.
Bookings and more information are available by calling Burrinja on 9754 8723 or sending an email to events@burrinja.org.au.
