paintings on bark, memorial poles, and statuary. The elders see the act of painting for the outside world as requiring the same discipline as for making sacred designs in ceremony. Accordingly when painting the land they use the land. All painting is done on bark using locally collected earth pigments and a brush fashioned from a few strands of hair. Over the last decade Yirrkala has become renowned both for its monumental bark paintings and its painted memorial poles that have been placed in public and private collections throughout the world.
in which many of the artists had been born was converted to become the original craft shop and over the years there have been a number of additions and renovations. The current centre is an impressive and very functional building belying its humble beginnings. It is comprised of a number of pavilions housing the multifarious functions of an art centre. The additions include: a Museum (1988); screen print workshop and extra gallery spaces (1996); and Yirrkala Church Panels annexe (1998). A theatrette and multi-media centre is under construction and due for completion in 2007.
Featured Art Tour
This year we have designed a comprehensive tour of Arnhem Land, focusing not only on the art centres, but we have also included immersive environmental events. A spectacular time of year, after the wet season has abated, the drier air ensures comfort whilst the land is still lush and green.
The customised trip will give you the opportunity to walk around the community environs and engage with the local residents. In particular you will meet the artists, often the artist’s family and certainly the arts workers. On occasion we havebeen offered spontaneous invitations to visit the artist’s homes and camps, the chance to visit the local school, learn more about medicinal botany, Yolngu law, interpret rock art or do some night fishing. Overall the style and pace of the trip is to give those interested in Top End Indigenous Australian art and culture an opportunity to fulfil their curiosity in a real time way.
Make no mistake; this trip cannot be achieved without the expertise of the Aboriginal Art Connections team with many years of collective experience and enthusiasm for Northern Australia. Wewill provide a comfortable trip and an extraordinary experience.
The service you can expect from the team at Aboriginal Art Connections is exemplary. Please be aware that accessing these remote communities in Arnhem land is restricted, so we make all the applications on your behalf to clear entry, prepare your lodgings, ensure meals are hearty and fulfilling, down to the fragrant fresh coffee for morning and afternoon tea always in a scenic let’s just stop and take it in location.
As your accompanying indigenous art specialist I am on board to facilitate your growing knowledge of the art forms of the region, such the stylistic shifts from eastern to western Arnhem land, to introducing specific artists work to you, and being that calm third party when required to help you make decisions with confidence when on the ground.
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