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Kuruwarriyingathi Bijarrb Paula Paul, Kaiadilt born 1937, My country 2009, synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 198.1 x 305.2 cm, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Purchased, NGV Supporters of Indigenous Art, 2009
Credit: © Paula Paul/Licensed by VISCOPY, Australia
Opening tomorrow, a new exhibition surveying over 200 contemporary artworks created by 118 Indigenous Australian women will pose the question: Who’s Afraid of Colour?
Encompassing a multitude of multimedia and cross-disciplinary works including customary woven objects and bark paintings to contemporary acrylic canvases and modern photographic and digital works. Drawn from the NGV Collection and spread across six galleries, the exhibition will also include ceramics, glass, video, jewellery, textiles, design and large scale installation works from some of the country’s most prominent contemporary artists, including Emily Kam Kngwarray.
Her mammoth painting Anwerlarr anganenty (Big yam Dreaming) [pictured top] was selected to travel to London as part of the 2013 Australia exhibition; she was also selected to represent Australia at the 1997 Venice Biennale – an inclusion that’s considered a watermark in the recognition of Indigenous womens’ art practice to both Australian and international audiences.
“Since coming into prominence in the late 1980s, Indigenous women have transformed Australian contemporary art, experimenting boldly across artistic mediums and challenging popular notions about how Indigenous art should be created and interpreted,” said NGV Director Tony Elwood. “Who’s Afraid of Colour? celebrates the diversity and daring of their work.”
Who’s Afraid of Colour? will go on display from tomorrow at The Ian Potter Centre: NGV Australia and will run from December 16, 2016 until April 2017.
Tile image: © Paula Paul/Licensed by VISCOPY, Australia
Cover image: Emily Kam Kngwarray, Anmatyerr c. 1910‒96, Anwerlarr Anganenty (Big yam Dreaming) 1995, synthetic polymer paint on canvas, 291.1 x 801.8 cm, National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Presented through The Art Foundation of Victoria by Donald and Janet Holt and family, Governors, 1995, © Emily Kam Kngwarray/Licensed by VISCOPY, Australia
