We have just received an exciting new body of work by Australia's most significant female Aboriginal artist living & working today - Gloria Petyarre! 

Gloria Petyarre burst onto the Australian art scene in 1999 when she won the prestigious Wynne Prize for Landscape. She was the first Indigenous Australian to win a major non-Indigenous art prize, cementing her name in art history. Since then, Gloria has become a worldwide success with her unique subject matter and remarkable ability to depict her ancient dreaming stories in a highly contemporary and expressive manner. Gloria did not commence painting until 1988, and her talents were immediately apparent. Her depiction of the Kurrajong bush medicine leaves – with her layered, free flowing swirling brush strokes that scatter across the canvas – has since become her iconic motif. Gloria Petyarre is represented in state, national and international galleries and museums. She has travelled with her art to many countries and exhibited in France, Germany, United Kingdom, Belgium, Netherlands, Italy, USA, Japan, and in regional and commercial galleries throughout Australia.

As Gloria enters her 70’s, this ‘Queen of the Desert’ has an unwavering commitment to her profession, and has shown great determination to turn her undeniable talent into results equalled by only a handful of Australian artists.

Click here to view Gloria's works

We have a new addition to the Collectors' Gallery:

a spectacular 135 x 542 cm piece by the great Dr George Ward Tjapaltjarri titled Tingari

it has to be seen to be believed - make sure you visit the gallery soon to see this powerful piece - no doubt it will be the centrepiece of a corporate office (or a very lucky home!) in no time at all

Our Collector's Gallery was established two years ago to pay homage to the leaders of the Aboriginal Art movement which captured the attention of the world, and to the artists who keep that tradition and artistry flourishing. View our collectors' gallery here

detail Dr George Ward Tjapaltjarri 'Tingari' 135 x 542cm

If you are a KO Gallery Club Member, you would have received an email from Kate advising you that as of 30 June 2013, she would be retiring from Kate Owen Gallery. Kate will be concentrating on her two other loves - painting her own artworks and roaming the big wide world!

But never fear, as Kate Owen Gallery and its entire staff are in the secure hands of the new Gallery owner and Director, Geoffrey Henderson. Geoff has been an important studio supplier to the business for the past six years and he knows the Gallery and Aboriginal art world inside out.

Watch this space, as we will introduce you to Geoff and his vision for the gallery in our next blog post!

Not a KO Gallery Club Member? Sign up here

You can visit Lorna Fencer's story page on our website to read some of the fascinating  Jukurrpa (Dreamings/stories) that are the subject matter of her paintings.  Images have been included to show how the artworks differ from subject to subject.  Even though she painted only a limited number of dreamings, Lorna's versatile talent ensured that all works were as fresh and individual as if she had never painted the subject before.  At times she concentrated on the detail of a plant, while at others, in the same story, she covered a wide scope showing the plant in its total environment.  All abstracted, all powerful and colourful: Lorna's great artwork paved the way for generations of Indigenous artists to come, by breaking free of tradition to represent the traditional stories in a highly contemporary way. 

Artwork stories are found on our website, along with many other interesting topics, under 'About Aboriginal Art', a link on the left hand side of our home page.  Lorna's page is under the heading of 'Dreamtime Stories'.

You may also like to look at her biography on our website.

Happy reading.