The delightful paintings and prints of renowned Waringarri artist, Alan Griffiths, are currently on display at Charles Darwin University (CDU).
The exhibition Alan Griffiths: paintings and prints is being held by CDU’s Northern Editions in partnership with Waringarri Aboriginal Arts and will be officially launched by Brenda Croft, Senior Curator Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art, National Gallery of Australia and Chris Griffiths, on Saturday, 12 August at 1pm. The opening will include a traditional performance by the artist.
Senior artist Alan Griffiths is a respected law and culture man for both his traditional country near Timber Creek and for Mirrawoong culture in Kununurra. Alan began painting in the mid 1980s following his retirement in 1981. Working primarily with painted ochre on canvas, Alan is also an accomplished printmaker, wood and boab nut carver.
Alan depicts images of country—‘mapping’ the landscapes significant features, and stories from his many years as a stockman, as well as images of corroborree for which he and his wife Peggy are key performers and teachers in their community.
“From the elegantly ‘mapped’ illustrations of his traditional country to the quirky depictions of his life and culture, Alan’s highly distinctive imagery takes us on a rich visual journey through his life experiences as stockman, camel trek driver, performer and teacher of traditional culture,” said Northern Editions Manager, Emma Fowler-Thomason.
The current body of works on display in the exhibition were created by Alan Griffiths with the assistance of a Creative Development Fellowship awarded to him by the West Australian Department of Culture and Arts earlier this year. The prestigious Fellowship has provided Alan with the opportunity to devote time to developing this series of works which continue to explore themes associated with traditional knowledge and culture.
As part of the Fellowship activities, Alan will also undertake a residency at Northern Editions later in the year to further develop his skills in the printmaking medium.
Northern Editions has been supporting Indigenous printmaking since 1993 and is now the longest established producer, publisher and retailer of limited edition fine art prints in northern Australia. Many of these works have since found their way into major art galleries, museums and corporate and private collections around the world.
Alan Griffiths: paintings and prints is being launched to coincide with the Darwin Festival and 2006 Telstra Award and will run until 8 September. The exhibition is open to the public from 10am to 5pm weekdays in ‘The Gallery’, Building 12, at the University’s Casuarina Campus.
Emma Fowler-Thomason is available for interview.
For further details 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.
To make a booking on the free bus tour of Darwin’s leading art galleries on Saturday 12 August contact Darwin Festival Office on 08 8981 0083 or email michelle@darwinfestival.org.au.