Noosa MP Sandy Bolton will unveil an exclusive exhibition at Max Galleria featuring iconic works of Indigenous heritage with artworks from seven local artists.
The much-anticipated launch will take place in Tewantin this Friday 2 September from 6-9pm till Saturday 25 September.
Entitled, Creative Country, the exhibition is a collective anthology inspired by gallery curator Maxine Stibbe following a rare opportunity experienced in the art scene.
“A private collector suddenly passed by my gallery and asked me if I like Aboriginal art,” Ms Stibbe said.
“When he showed me some art pieces, the hairs on my arms instantly stood up. I knew I was in the presence of greatness.
“He said he was travelling with his mother in the ’70s and bought the works directly from the artists themselves, aka Albert Namatjira’s sons, Oscar and Maurice, and also Nelson Pannka, who was a student of Oscar’s.“
The iconic artworks were both valued and certified as authentic by Fireworks Gallery in Brisbane.
“They’re absolutely stunning — the sort of pieces you’d see in the National Art Gallery, or if you’re lucky enough, in someone’s private collection,” Ms Stibbe said.
Albert Namatjira is arguably Australia’s most famous Aboriginal artist who was both the pioneer and founder of the Hermannsburg School of Modern Art, an art movement characterised by watercolours using Western-style landscapes depicting luminous hues of the Central Australian outback.
In the mid-1930s, Namatjira was introduced at Hermannsburg Lutheran Mission to Australian landscape artist Rex Battarbee who first taught him watercolour techniques on a painting expedition to Palm Valley. This continued collaboration would have a decisive impact on Australian art. In 1938, Battarbee organised Namatjira’s first solo exhibition in Melbourne, which sold out instantly.
Namatjira inspired other young Western Arrente artists to pursue careers in watercolour painting, including his sons, Maurice and Oscar, before winning both national and international acclaim.
Noted for the indelible totemic connections to Country in his paintings, Namatjira’s style of using Aboriginal and Western elements is reflected in these iconic art pieces, which Ms Stibbe says demonstrates the love of Country.
“The watercolours, the landscape of this beautiful Arrente country instantly reminds you of Australia’s early art history,” Ms Stibbe said.
“It’s about the artist who does the making for me and you can tell that the country they’re from has been captured with love. So, trying not to have an ethnocentric point of view or ideology, I think these works really represent, a care for Country, a love of Country.
“I think a lot of different countries that were colonised were often given traditional Western materials to work with. For example, beads were introduced in some countries, so when you look at them, you can see that the love of Country emanates out of these works. That shows it doesn’t matter whether they’re dots, stippling, cross-hatching, or X-ray vision.“
Ms Stibbe said combining local talent with legendary art pieces was testament to honouring the love of Country — a deeply spiritual connection formed in the footsteps of Aboriginal ancestors.
“Even though the local works in this exhibition are contemporary, they’re still topographical and share the same theme,” she said.
“So, obviously, I curated it for that reason as people don’t come to Noosa Shire for urban mundanities, they come for the love of nature. This exhibition is meant to enhance that.“
Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal acrylic artist Tara Robinson, one of the acclaimed artists of the exhibition, says her love of Country had been reflected in her art since childhood.
“One of the great expressions for my artworks is that it really represents my culture, about being on Country, touching our earth, walking alongside it with our people and our animals, the sound of the sea, and that spiritual connection to our Elders and our past history. Expressing all that as a child, and those memories I have and hold onto, are the key thoughts I had when painting them,” Ms Robinson said.
“I have been painting for many years through creative expression of contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art. I grew up all over Australia as my parents travelled a lot.
“One of those experiences included growing up on Pitjantjatjara country out at Ernabella where I learned certain techniques and stories from the Elders and a whole range of different creative art pieces that I have put into practice since my childhood,” she said.
Contributing Bundjalung/Maori acrylic artist Tracey Mills who grew up in Mooloolaba and discovered her Aboriginality at age 13 through art, will be presenting works reflecting a deep connection with the ocean.
“My great grandmother comes from Bundjalung, which is Saltwater Country. So, I try to express my love for the sea and stories of my own life. I have also developed a strong bond with Maroochy River and its legend. The river was formed from Maroochy’s tears, so I love being near that body of water as it’s very healing,” Ms Mills said.
The exhibition will display painting, watercolour, photography, sculpture, ceramics, and jewellery while bringing together a diverse range of renowned artists, such as: Rob McDonald (Gooreng), Domenique Wood, Tracey Mills (Bundjalung/Maori), Tara Robinson (TSI/BADU), Anne Harris, Maxine Stibbe, and Rhiannon Pineau.
Ms Wood who will be honouring the exhibition’s theme with her piece, Sun Dance, admires Ms Stibbe’s efforts in building a vibrant creative hub for local artists.
“I’m very supportive of Maxine and her gallery. I find her unique as she’s not only a collector of art, but a collector of people and their ideas. Tewantin really needs something like this. As an artist, I totally support it,” Ms Wood said.
“I’ve been painting all my life. I’m a prolific and also a commercial artist, so I’m very happy to show my work at Max Galleria with both Indigenous artists and non-Indigenous artists.
“Art shows the spirit. It’s basically the journalism of our time to express how we feel, to take in our past, our history, and allows us to look towards the future, while we live in the now.“
Art lovers can enjoy a multi-sensory experience while exploring the collection amid the live voice of Ms Stibbe’s photography mentee, singer-songwriter and photographer, Erin Jayne.
Max Galleria offers 100 per cent tax deductible art to ABN holders.
For further information phone 0414 725 424 or log onto facebook.com/max.galleria/
