The Martumili Artists and their families are the traditional owners of East Pilbara region’s vast stretches of desert lands, home to the Parnpajinya, Jigalong, Parnngurr, Punmu, Kunawarritji, Irrungadji and Warralong communities.
But since 2006, a lot of these artists have been creating from the Martumili Artists centre in Newman, 12 hours from Perth. And this month we’re honoured to be sharing their paintings in our new TDF Collect exhibition!
The show features 16 artworks by 13 different artists, who as a collective have been gaining recognition both in Australia and worldwide for their diverse, energetic, and unmediated painting styles.
Each artist’s work is unique, often reflecting the dramatic geography and personal stories from their homelands across the Great Sandy Desert and Rudall River/Karlamilyi regions of Western Australia.
Among these is ‘Untitled’ by Ngamaru Bidu as a rendition of her Country/’ngurra’. The artwork capturing the striking salt lakes, dominant permanent red tali (sandhills), warta (trees, vegetation) that she and her family encountered in the pujiman (traditional, desert dwelling) era.
Other captivating pieces include Corban Clause Williams’ ‘Kaalpa (Kalypa, Canning Stock Route Well 23)’ — a multi-coloured painting with rich tones, depicting his grandfather’s Country — and two of Bugai Whyoulter’s distinctive artworks, where layers of dots built up to create vibrant landscapes.
The collection and all of its colours are even more beautiful in person, so if you’re in Melbourne, come see them for yourself in our gallery from Saturday July 29.
But for now, pre-sales for this show have officially opened! You can see a complete list of all available works at our TDF Collect website here and email art@thedesignfiles.net to secure it. Get in quick!
TDF Collect Gallery
14 Little Oxford Street
Collingwood, VIC
Exhibition dates:
Saturday July 29, 10am – 5pm
Sunday July 30, 11am – 4pm
Monday July 31, CLOSED
Tuesday August 1, 10am – 4pm
Wednesday August 2, 10am – 4pm
Thursday August 3, 10am – 4pm
TDF Collect exhibitions are generously supported by Dulux, Bodriggy, Minimum Wines and TINA.
