Guests at Karawa Restaurant on Charles Darwin University’s Palmerston campus can now enjoy fine art inspired by North Australia as well as fine dining - in a congenial lakeside ambience.
Notable paintings and limited edition prints from the University’s permanent art collection were unveiled recently at Karawa Restaurant in a special display curated for the restaurant.
An official launch earlier this month opened the art display to the general public with Deputy Mayor of Palmerston City Ian Abbott in attendance and a performance by Darwin musician Jess Ribeiro and her band, The Bone Collectors.
Artists represented in the display include Darwin-based Andy Morgan-Smith and VET Lecturer in Remote Area Printmaking Leon Stainer, Alice Springs-based Wayne Eager and Marina Strocchi; Bidyadanga (WA) artists Jan Billycan, Donald Moko and Daniel Walbidi; Yuendumu painter/printmaker Uni Nampijinpa Martin; and Ernabella artist Nura Maniya Rupert.
All the works on display are on loan from the CDU Art Collection until late 2009.
CDU Art Collection curator Anita Angel was on hand to explain the importance of providing access to the collections to the wider community.
“I am very supportive of events like these that provide a broader audience for the University Art Collection to be known, appreciated and enjoyed,” she said.
“Tonight’s launch is about restoring the pleasure principle in art, more widely experienced in relation to good food and music.”
VET Lecturer in Hospitality and coordinator of Karawa Restaurant, Oliver Budack initiated the loan after an earlier installation of art work.
“It was warmly received by diners and students alike so we asked Anita to have them on a long-term basis,” he said. “It’s about matching a quality dining experience with the experience of quality art.”
For more information or bookings at the restaurant, contact Sarina Shailer on 8946 7864.