As the Register at Kate Owen Gallery I take an immense pleasure in receiving and displaying new works from Utopian women Rosemary Petyarre (Pitjara), Gloria Tamerre Petyarre (Pitjara) and Jeannie Petyarre (Pitjara) (Petyarre does not signify a surname, rather a skin group within the Anmatyerre language).

Situated thirty kilometres north–east of Alice Springs (In The Northern Territory) Utopia, a former cattle station, became renowned in the 1970’s for its batik: a skill passed down from a group of women (including Rosemary Petyarre) who had travelled to Indonesia to learn different techniques in textile designs.

Rosemary, Gloria and Jeannie’s artwork all encompass the same theme of the “Bush Medicine Leaves” receiving international and domestic recognition, and exhibiting in collections in France, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.  

Rosemary Petyarre (Pitjara) Yam Seed Dreaming - RPEG0150	Jeannie Petyarre (Pitjara) Bush Medicine Leaves - JPEG0200	Gloria Tamerre Petyarre (Pitjara) Bush Medicine Leaves – GPEG0067

Medicine leaves are traditionally used in the alleviation of skins ailments and it is little wonder that their painted representations have become popular in Western Art Therapy for their calming qualities, and rejuvenating aesthetic. The leaves are traditionally dried on the desert floor, and drank hot in a ceremony overseen by a bush doctor; the artworks encapsulate the process of drying out the leaves, with a repetitive pattern creating an optical allusion: capturing the traditional imagery and symbology of Utopian culture.

These expressive and gestural works invoke a sense of fluidity and energy, brought on through their vibrant colour and lively composition.

Waitya

Mitjili Napurrula

Acrylic on linen

120 x 180 cm

$6300

Mitjili Napurrula is a Pintupi woman from the Haasts Bluff region 200km west of Alice Springs. She is the half sister of Turkey Tjupurrula Tolson. Her dreamings come from her father and relate to the important 'men's business' of spear making. What I find striking about Mitjili's work is her distinctive patterns that represent the women's contribution to this process in providing wood for the spears from trees - Watiya. Mitjili's canvas' are characterised by a strong sense of spacing and layering that has earned her acclaim both in Australia and internationally. I am drawn to this work in particular as it displays a light and subtle colour palette and is unique in being painted on an all white background.' Waitya' also displays Mitjil's signature style of dotting that push and overlap to give the impression of a solid colour field.

My Country

Anna Petyarre

Acrylic on linen

100 x 200 cm

$5375

This elegant painting is My Country by Anna Petyarre. Anna is the niece of Emily Kame Kngwarreye and daughter of artists Glory Ngale. My Country is a representation of the salt lakes of her homeland. The large circles are waterholes created after heavy rain. What is so mesmerising about this work is the way Anna uses minimal colours, predominately black and white to form intricate, beautiful surfaces that glimmer just like the salt plains she paints. The use of black and white also means this painting will look great in any surrounding, from bold coloured walls to a sleek minimal interior.

Bush Turkey Dreaming

Michelle Possum

Acrylic on linen

60 x 115 cm

$2655

Bush Turkey Dreaming is a fabulous work by Michelle Possum, daughter of the great Clifford Possum Tjapaltjarri. What interests me about Michelle's work is she painted alongside her father from an early age and inherited his use of bold iconography. She has now infused this tradition with her own sensibilities of vivid colour. Her inspiration for this is the unique central desert landscape. What I enjoy about Bush Turkey Dreaming is the melding of ancient symbolism and a fresh modern use of colour and composition.

 He was invited to Oprah Winfrey's private party, welcomed her to Australia with a smoke ceremony, painting, dance and digeridoo music; he has danced for Bill Clinton's daughter, received a standing ovation from the Saudi Arabian National Guard and performed at the Sydney 2000 Olympic games! 

Now his impressive resume will be complete as he will paint and perform at Kate Owen Gallery this week!!!

Kurun is a renowned artist, digeridoo player and dancer, but most of all he is known for his iconic Aboriginal Artwork.  He will be painting new works in the gallery, is happy to be photographed and you may even be lucky enough to buy an artwork you have seen him paint.  Kids especially will enjoy this experience.

Most of all, Kurun is a warm and friendly guy who is great to talk with - he straddles Australia's cultures with true Indigenous-Aussie spirit, and loves to talk about his art, his culture and his music.  View some of Kurun Warun's Aboriginal Art or read his biography. 

The two paintings below are 'Lee Moo Pareeyt (Dry Water)' and 'Black Boy', both 72 x 200cms.

We are pleased to invite you to join us for a Christmas drink and to watch/meet with Kurun, tomorrow and Saturday (23 & 24 December), from 12 - 5pm for a little break from the silly season whirlwind.  All are welcome.

 Here's a great opportunity to buy yourself a special Christmas present!   ... or I guess you could even buy one for someone else.  This year we are discounting all  works in the gallery by varying degrees, but every artwork is discounted.  Just ask our friendly staff or call or email us for a price.

Enjoy a break from the melee with a visit to the gallery to explore your options, or stay at home and use our Advanced Aboriginal Art Search on line, where you can search by colour, size, shape, artist, price, style, region, and a pile of other keywords.  Website searchers can add their favourites to their 'wish list' and email it to us for the best prices we can manage.

Works from our prestigious Aboriginal Art Collectors' Gallery are also on sale, but don't be daunted by the price:  Original Indigenous paintings range from $110 upwards - over 1500 artworks, many artists and styles, and from affordable through to utterly collectible and special pieces by the masters of Aboriginal Art..

New opening hours are 10 - 6pm every day except Christmas and New Year's day, or by appointment!   680 Darling Street, Rozelle (Sydney)  NSW,  2039.

Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine while you explore our delicious gallery! 

This beautiful and mysterious 120 x 180 cms Angeline Ngale painting has been reduced in the sale from $9900 to $6600.  It is an excellent example of the Utopian style first pioneered by her famous relative Emily Kame Kngwarreye, and a superb work by Angeline.  The painting alters subtly with the light conditions;  at times floating and airy layers of colour beguile the eye, while at others, the deeper hues recede into the artwork, visually creating depth and mystery to the piece. 

Have a look at just some of the works to be auctioned!

Mystery Auctions are fun and exciting, with great opportunities to win excellent artworks with low reserves and NO buyers' premium.   Get involved in some 'MYSTERY' bidding - and be in the draw to win awesome prizes.  This is an auction with a difference, and a great new way to buy art.  No tricks, no traps, and no obligation (and if you are new to auctions, there will be an introduction session at 12.45).  Beginners are most welcome.  All works fully authenticated with documentation available at the viewing, and chat with our knowledgeable and friendly staff who will answer your questions. 

 CLICK HERE for more details or scroll down to our previous blog.

Hope to see you there!

Something different for art lovers - come along and bring your friends to a MYSTERY Aboriginal Art Auction!   Enjoy the informal style of our debonair auctioneer Daniel Goldshaft, and win for yourself some serious quality Aboriginal artworks.

First time auction attendees are very welcome and if the whole thing is new to you, you can attend our informal 'Auctions 101- introduction to the proceedings' at 12.45pm, and all your questions will be answered. 

There will be no costly add-ons like buyer's premium at this auction, and GST and the 5% Artist's Resale Royalty are all included in your bid price.  What you bid is all you pay.   All 100+ indigenous paintings being auctioned have been selected for their contemporary 'wow factor' energy, most are very affordable, many major Aboriginal artists are represented, and all artworks come with full authenticity documentation and photos where they are available.  And yes, for your benefit and entertainment, it is a 'MYSTERY' auction.  To find out what that means, you'll just have to come along.....

Aboriginal artists represented in the auction include Judy Watson Napangardi,  Dorothy Napangardi, Makinti Napapangka, Gloria Petyarre,  Kudditji Kngwarreye,  Barbara Weir,  Lena Pwerle,  George Ward Tjungarrayi, Anna Price Petyarre, Shorty Jangala Robertson, Charmaine Pwerle,  Esther Bruno,  Emily Pwerle,  Willy Tjungarrayi, Polly Ngale,  Angelina Ngale, Anna Petyarre, Elizabeth Marks Nakamarra,  Nellie Marks Nakamarra,  Betty Mbitjana, Jeannie Mills Pwerle, Evelyn Pultara, Kathleen Ngale, Lily Kelly Napangardi, Patrick Tjungarrayi,  Narabri Nakamarra, Ronnie Tjampitjinpa,  Walala Tjapaltjarri,  Thomas Tjapaltjarri, Walangkura Napanangka and many more.

You can preview the artworks from 12 Noon on the day, the Auction starts at 1pm, and an on line preview will be available on our website from 1 December, so you can check out most of the works in advance.

 When and where?  12noon, Saturday 3rd December at the Coogee Diggers Club Auditorium, corner of Carr and Byron Streets, Coogee.

For enquiries, please call (02)95555283, 0413653909 or email info@kateowengallery.com.

Absentee bids will be accepted - but you definitely won't have as much fun if you stay at home!

Warmun artist Patrick Mung Mung with a valuable painting by his father that was salvaged from the town's flooded art centre and restored to its former glory.
Picture: Stuart McEvoy Source: The Australian

AS floodwaters raced through the remote West Australian community of Warmun in March, the manager of the local arts centre thought its collection of historic paintings would be safe.
"We just couldn't imagine the water would go that high," said Maggie Fletcher, manager of Warmun Art Centre in a remote region of the Kimberley.

"There were about 400 (works from Warmun's pioneering artists) in a back room and just about everything got some kind of water damage. Some paintings ended up on the ground in the mud, and they were pretty badly damaged."

Shortly after the floods, the University of Melbourne transported 187 damaged paintings from Warmun to its Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation, where they were stabilised.

In Melbourne this week, Patrick Mung Mung said he was happy to see one particular work, painted by his father, restored to its original state.

 ...The untitled painting, by George Mung Mung, is part of the archival collection of works by Warmun's early artists, including Hector Jandany, Queenie McKenzie, Paddy Jaminji and Jack Brittain.

Patrick Mung Mung, himself an artist, said the staff at the centre had done a good job of repairing his father's painting, which had been covered in mould and mud after the floods.

"I think it's all right. They washed all of it off and it's still the same," he said.

The work tells the story of a massacre at Horse Creek, east of Warmun. "In that place a lot of people got killed -- they were burned," Mung Mung said.

On Tuesday night, Mung Mung and three other Gija elders arrived in Melbourne to give cultural advice on the restoration of the works.

The elders will also attend a fundraising dinner at the University of Melbourne tonight.

Ms Fletcher said about $100,000 was needed to finish restoring the collection and return it to Warmun.

"(The paintings) were done to show the children. They want them back to keep telling their children because now those old people who did them aren't with us any more," she said. "They're talking about having a big corroboree when the collection comes back to Warmun."

A work by Patrick Mung Mung will also go under the hammer on November 13 at Stills Gallery in Sydney, in an auction held by the Aboriginal Benefits Foundation to raise money for the art centre.

"We are getting a new building put up for the collection, so it's up high and safe," Ms Fletcher said.

"But we need money to fit the building out."

Mung Mung was working as a stockman when his father was painting. He started making his own art in 1998.

When the art centre was inundated, a number of Mung Mung's works were in the main gallery, which was flooded. "None of (Patrick's) works were actually lost and there's been a few that he's been able to repair," Ms Fletcher said. "There was one that I thought was gone but I found it stuck in between a table and a fence. He has fixed it up and it looks terrific."

Article by: Bridget Cormack From: The Australian, October 21, 2011 12:00AM

Good, Strong, Powerful!  National Gallery of Australia is showing works by Kukula  and others from Mwerre Anthurre artists in this show which runs until 15 January 2010.  Check out these fascinating naive artworks by indigenous artists across Australia - all with some form of disability.  You might like to check out the NGA's downloadable fact sheet too.

At Kate Owen Gallery, we have a number of Kukula's artworks in stock... and being very impressed by her works and those of fellow artists Adrian Robertson and Billy Kenda, we featured an exhibition of works from her art centre earlier this year.  Kukula McDonald's works are presently focused on the wild black cockatoos of the Australian bush, and she captures the character and spirit of these unique birds perfectly  (not an easy task, as many an artist who has attempted it can tell you!) 

Kukula spends her life in a wheelchair and the first focus of her artwork was just that - Wheelchairs!  She painted them relentlessly and it is said that she knows every make and model of every wheelchair owned by an aboriginal person throughout the country!

Now her focus is on the black cockatoos and their environment.  A poignant subject as well, given that birds in artworks often represent a subconscious yearning for freedom.  Her works are a unique and delightful representation of these cheeky outback characters by a gifted and plucky artist.