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Alan Griffiths Corroboree 2006, natural ochre and pigment on campus. Image courtesy of Waringarri Aboriginal Art
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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 printsis 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 countryto the quirky depictions of his life and culture, Alan’s highlydistinctive imagery takes us on a rich visual journey through his lifeexperiences as stockman, camel trek driver, performer and teacher oftraditional 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 withthe 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.
See the original story here: http://ext.cdu.edu.au/newsroom/a/2006/Pages/1274.aspx
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