[CDU eNews] - TIWI ART EXHIBITION AT CHARLES DARWIN UNI

[Peter.Hurt at cdu.edu.au]

Tiwi art on show at Charles Darwin

Etchings by 13 Tiwi female artists have gone on display in a newly
renovated gallery at Charles Darwin University.

The exhibition, Ngini Ngawula Ngiramini Amitiya Murakupu (our language and
our country), is being held at the Northern Editions Printmaking Studio and
Gallery on the university's Casuarina campus.

Northern Editions manager Ms Emma Fowler-Thomason said: "It is the first
time Northern Editions has had a designated gallery space and illustrates
how the print studio has continued to grow and expand. We are delighted
that this beautiful and vibrant group of Tiwi prints are the first works to
be exhibited in the new gallery."

There are 21 works by artists from the Munupi Arts and Crafts Association -
Donna Burak, Josephine Burak, Theresa Burak, Reppie Orsto, Connie
Puruntatameri, Francesca Puruntatameri, Karen Puruntatameri, Maree
Puruntatameri, Nina Puruntatameri, Shandi Puruntatameri, Sheila
Puruntatameri, Maryanne Tungatalum and Susan Wanji Wanji.

The artworks were created during a series of Vocational Education and
Training (VET) printmaking workshops run by lecturer Leon Stainer. The
artists have printed many of their works - the first time many of them have
ventured into editioning etchings.

"The art centre at Pirlangimpi has a very small press and the results are
remarkable - especially given the humid and dusty conditions in which the
artists were working," Ms Fowler-Thomason said.

Munupi Arts and Crafts Association is located at Pirlangimpi (Garden Point)
on Melville Island and was established in 1989. It  focuses on the
development of both traditional and contemporary Tiwi art and craft
including various forms of painting, pottery, carving, weaving, screen
prints, etchings, lithographs and screen printed textiles.

The exhibition will run until 24 June and is open from 10am-4pm weekdays.
For details, please contact Ms Fowler-Thomason on (08) 8946 6325 or
emma.fowler-thomason at cdu.edu.au.

Emma Fowler-Thomason is available for interview

Media release by Kasey Brunt, Marketing, Media and Communications Officer
(08) 8946 7086

Peter Hurt
Media Manager
Charles Darwin University
Tel: 08 8946 6019 or 0438 466 439

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