Article: Exhibition Opening

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Article: Exhibition Opening

We titled our much anticipated Tommy Watson solo show ‘Desert Master’ for obvious reasons – as soon as you enter our top gallery space you are simply awestruck by the artistic genius of the late master. Last week art lovers, journalists, and collectors alike braved the miserable Sydney weather to attend the opening of Tommy Watson | Desert Master here at Kate Owen Gallery in Rozelle.

“Sydney is at last getting a serious show of the art of the late Tommy Yannima Watson” writes Jeremy Eccles, and attendees at the exhibition opening certainly did not leave wanting. Kate Owen Gallery put on a feast thanks to Wow Catering, and Ken McGregor (author of the authoritative artist monograph on Tommy Watson) gave a captivating speech on the life and art of Mr Watson. But it was the art that gathered us together that night, and it was the art that was the absolute standout. As Ken McGregor mentioned in his opening address “you’ve put on a monumental display of works, these are museum quality works”. 

The show has been a labour of love for Kate Owen Gallery’s Director, Mr Geoff Henderson for over 18 months and involved securing pieces from the vaults from some of Australia’s most esteemed fine art collectors. “This curation of masterpieces and museum quality works, including many previously unexhibited works, showcase the soaring talent of this recently deceased master,” explains Mr Henderson, “never before have so many of Watson’s seminal works been exhibited in the one space”. One seminal work that has to be seen to be believed is the groundbreaking 2013 piece featured in the Australian newspaper. Standing at just less than 5 meters long it has the power to envelop you in its rhythmical dot work and sensual tones of orange.

Also on display were pieces that demonstrated his intuitive and masterful use of colour and form.  Even artworks such as Anumarapiti - TWAHF0004 which does not command the same wall space as other grand pieces in the show, still holds its own as an exquisite example of Watsons work. Compositionally there is a masterful sense of balance and a surprising selection of colours sit harmoniously and at ease on the canvas. 

As formalities concluded for the night, Geoff Henderson just had one more thing he wanted to say;

“As someone who deals with Indigenous art all the time, it’s moments like this where it’s time to stop and say ‘thank you’ first and foremost to the artist that made this possible…Thank you, Tommy.”

Mr Watson was alive when planning for the exhibition begun, but unfortunately the Desert Master passed away before ever seeing the completed exhibition. It is bitter sweet that he never got to see the celebration and appreciation of his artistic genius on display all around at the exhibition opening, but something tells me he had captured everything he wanted to convey in these monumental paintings he so generously left behind for us.

Tommy Watson | Desert Master will be on display at Kate Own Gallery until 11 November. Gallery is open 10-6 every day.

Can’t make it to the gallery? You can view the online exhibition here. If you would like any further information about the artworks on display, please don’t hesitate to contact the gallery. You can also request an exhibition catalogue here.

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Photo Gallery of Exhibition Opening - Click Here!

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Our Art Consultants have really outdone themselves with these hand-picked ‘gems’ from our stockroom. With 2,0+ artworks to choose from, plus some gorgeous new arrivals that just had to be included, it isn't surprising. You will be dazzled by the exquisite selection on offer, and amazed at how the vast array of different styles sit extremely well in the one space. A visual feast that shouldn't leave you wanting more but will almost certainly leave you wanting a piece of your very own.

It is interesting to know that it isn't the same artist, similar style or even region that bring these pieces together for exhibition. What does bring these art works together for display are that they are all personal favourites that simply make our Art Consultant's say "wow, I just love that piece!" While they are contrasting, they simply look absolutely beautiful together.

Some new and exclusive pieces by Helen McCarthy Tyalmuty are quite likely to catch your eye. To be honest, you certainly would not want to miss them on display. Helen is an award winning indigenous artist. To add to the spectacular colour and intricacy of her work, Helen often provides a beautiful meaning and story that goes with her pieces. Her most recent additions to the gallery and this exhibition are no different. These stories include ancient wisdom and customs through to her own personal life stories and that of her close family. Read some more of Helen's stories.

This piece is particularly impressive and is called 'Wadjigan People'. Recently, when shared on social media, fellow artist Tarisse King reached out to say of this piece; "Helen u can do no wrong!"... Quite the compliment!

Helen's story for this art work:

"Wadjigan People. Our country is Bulgul. Our language is Batjamal.

This painting depicts our ancestors and billabongs and waterways where they hunted for survival.

The old people looked after our country. They still say don't be greedy. Only get enough for family and always share.

Ochre stones are for ceremony - body painting. Also found are small stones used to sing someone to love you.

This story is depicted in green because food and freshwater is always plentiful. Small black and red circles are the different Wadjigan tribes that walked before us.

White circles up top are the white stones used to sing someone to you"

Other artist featured in this exhibition include:

Gloria Petyarre

"Bush Medicine" by Gloria Petyarre H200 x W120 (GPEG0544)
 
Tommy Watson

'Wati Kutjara' by Tommy Watson H182 x W243 (AGTW0303121984)

Minnie Pwerle

'Awelye Atnwengerrp' by Minnie Pwerle (MPWG0009)

To see these pieces, and many more, we strongly suggest you do not miss the 'Gems of the Stockroom' exhibition at Kate Owen Gallery. If you can't make it in to the gallery thankfully you can also view the exhibition online.

Australia’s desert landscapes, regarded as the ‘outback’ of Australia, have long been a great inspiration for artists. But it is the artists of the Western Desert, way out west from Alice Springs, that have taken the world by storm with their powerful and unique art; designs and images expressing their intimate connection to their Country and the Tjukurrpa.

 

The exhibition has a beautiful balance of works with strong iconography and incredible amount of mythological detail, as well as works that are extremely bold and graphic, such as esteemed artist Warlimpirringa Tjapaltjarri.

 

Warlimpirrnga paints in two main styles, using geometric shapes to represent the Tingari story, or lines interspersed with dotting for his dreaming concerning the sacred site of Lake Mackay of which he is the custodian. Warlimpirrnga employs a dotting technique shared with other Pintupi artists such as his brothers, Thomas and Walala, and with George Ward Tjungurrayi, artists also featured in the show. 

Artworks by the great Tommy Watson command your attention when first entering the third level collectors' gallery

While artworks by Gracie Ward Napaltjarri invite you to take an intimate moment; to be amazed by the intuitive and authoritative expression of the intricacies of Country.

Some artworks may take visitors by surprise, such as Katjara Butler's dynamic and colourful pieces,

but we are certain this exhibition will leave visitors with a sense of wonder, and revel in the artistic genius of Australia's great artists from the Western Desert. 

Can't visit the gallery? You can view the online exhibition here.

 

Sarrita King has always been inspired by the world around her. Much of her interpretation of the natural world and its elements has come from her father, the late William King. William was an amazing artist who had a gift in connecting people with the world through his art.

Sarrita explains,’ My art connects me with my father, my culture and the world around me. Painting connects with me past , helps me focus in the moment and takes me forward with the continuous connection with others.’

Growing up in Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory, Sarrita was close to her Gurindji country that her ancestors inhabited. The rolling sand hills, crackling lightning and thunderstorms, torrential rain, fire, desert and tangled bush are all characteristics of the brutal landscape that shaped her forefathers’ lives and also her own. Sarrita’s connection to the land and her Aboriginality were able to flourish, and her strong sense of self and pride fuels her drive to paint her totemic landscape today.

Her aesthetic has a universal appeal and provides an entry point for people to experience the power and uniqueness of the Australian landscape and its harsh environment. By depicting the environmental elements in her paintings, King provides a visual articulation of the earth’s language.

At only 29, King has had many personal achievements, including over 30 exhibitions and has been acquired by many high-profile Australian and international art collections, as well as being auctioned many times successfully through Paris’ Artcurial auction house.

The future looks bright for Sarrita, as her desire to visually communicate her inspiration and the land has resulted is works that are vibrant, striking and contemporary.

why we LOVE this artwork

This painting is inspired by her Gurindji ancestors and the great storms found in their land. One of Sarrita's first memories is of the storms and lightning found in the top end of Australia. Sarrita remembers the movement through the rain and wind and also the energy present.

This is part of an exquisite new body of work by Sarrita that can be viewed online here. The swirling background colours really do give a fantastic sense of movement, as well as providing a beautiful depth and mood. We really recommend 'home trialling' one of these  gorgeous new works, as they are highly versatile and can work in an array of settings. Not in Sydney? We can always do a 'digital hang' for you! Simply send through images of the space and we will send the images back with the artwork hanging on your wall.