An outstanding exhibition of rare limited edition prints by some of Australia’s most celebrated artists will open on Thursday 29 June at 6pm at Charles Darwin University’s Northern Editions Gallery.
The exhibition Collectors Editions: iconic Waringarri prints from Kimberley showcases more than 30 iconic works from the Waringarri Print Collection, one of Australia’s most significant collections of prints from the Kimberley region.
The show will feature the exquisite imagery of renowned Kimberley artists Rover Thomas, Paddy Carlton, Queenie McKenzie, Lily Karadada, Hector Jandanay, Alan Griffiths, Billy Thomas and others.
Waringarri Aboriginal Art Coordinator, Cathy Cummins, says there is a range of sensitivities, subtlety and depth particular to the aesthetics of the print medium throughout the exhibition.
“Visitors will see and feel the iconic power of Rover’s Crossroads and Wurritji Country, Queenie’s Texas Downs images, Paddy Carlton’s Lightning Men and Lily Karadada’s Wandjina as well as the complexities of Billy Thomas’ Sandy Desert Waterholes and the rhythmic landscapes of Hector Jandanay,” Ms Cummins said.
“The release of these selected works will enable Waringarri to support new and emerging artists to participate in future printmaking workshops.
“Waringarri looks forward to a continuing tradition of creating limited edition prints as pioneered by those first great Kimberley artists,” Ms Cummins said.
Northern Editions Manager, Emma Fowler-Thomason says CDU’s relationship with Waringarri dates back to the mid 1990s.
“Leon Stainer, founder of Northern Editions’ printmaking workshop, collaborated with Rover Thomas, Paddy Carlton and Queenie McKenzie at the University to create these artists first prints. Many of these early works are now regarded as important key images, not only in terms of the Waringarri Print Collection, but in the broader scope of Australian art,” Ms Fowler-Thomason said. Significant prints created by Kimberley artists with Red Hand Print Studio are also featured in the exhibition.
The Waringarri Print Collection includes over 150 editions of etchings, lithographs, linocuts and screenprints and traces the evolution of artists’ involvement with the printmaking medium since the first works were produced in 1994. Waringarri Aboriginal Arts is located in Kununurra and is a not-for-profit Aboriginal artists' cooperative which markets the work of local artists.
Northern Editions is the longest established producer and publisher of limited edition fine art prints in northern Australia. Fine art prints from Northern Editions include etchings, screen prints, lithographs and linocuts. Many of these have found their way into major art galleries, museums and corporate and private collections around the world.
Collectors Editions runs until 28 July. The gallery is open to the public from 10am to 5pm weekdays in Building 33, at the University’s Casuarina Campus.
Emma Fowler-Thomason and Cathy Cummins are available for interview.
Contact Emma Fowler-Thomason on (08) 8946 6325 or visit http://www.cdu.edu.au/northerneditions/. A map of the Casuarina Campus is located at www.cdu.edu.au/campusmaps.