News

On Friday 23rd May 2014 Alcaston Gallery was thrilled to hold a special Meet the Artists event with Jilamara Arts & Craft Association artists Pedro Wonaeamirri and Patrick Freddy Puruntatameri for their exhibition Nini Parlanari: Amintiya Ningani - Old Ways: New Perspectives. Pedro and Patrick were accompanied by Art Centre Manager Geoff Crispin. 

Also attending the Meet the Artist Event was former Collingwood football player Rupert Betheras for his exhibition of paintings titled Inner Sanctum.

The enthusiastic audience were treated to a floortalk led by Alcaston Gallery Director Beverly Knight who holds close ties with each of the artists.

Pedro Wonaeamirri & Patrick Freddy Puruntatameri, Nini Parlanari: Amintiya Ningani - Old Ways: New Perspectives, 20 May – 20 June 2014, Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne.

Rupert Betheras, Inner Sanctum, 20 May – 20 June 2014, Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne.

Amata artist and elder HECTOR BURTON has been announced as the winner of the 2014 Red Ochre Award for outstanding contribution to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts.

The prestigious Red Ochre Award is Australia's richest art prize for an indigenous artist, with previous winners including actor David Gulpilil (2013) and musician Archie Roach (2011).

The annual award will be presented at a ceremony this evening, Tuesday 27 May at 6pm, at the Sydney Opera House where Alcaston Gallery Director Beverly Knight will be celebrating with winner Hector Burton and Skye O'Meara (Art Centre Manager, Tjala Arts). 

Australia Council Board Director Lee-Ann Buckskin said Hector Burton was chosen as this year’s Red Ochre Award recipient for his remarkable work as a visual artist and cultural leader. Hector Burton's highly sophisticated and contemporary interpretations of traditional country are a celebration of his culture both past and present, and aims to protect cultural ties for future generations.

The other award recipients for 2014 include two $45,000 fellowships, awarded to Melbourne musicians Bart Willoughby and Dave Arden, in addition to a $20,000 youth Dreaming Award,  presented to 23-year-old NSW multidisciplinary artist Tyrone Sheather. Hector Burton will dedicate his $50,000 prize towards projects which allow young men at Tjala Arts to gain traditional bush skills.

A selection of artwork by Hector Burton will be on exhibition at the Australia Council for the Arts Head Office, 372 Elizabeth Street Surry Hills NSW until 31 July 2014. We invite all Sydney collectors and art lovers to visit the exhibition and experience Burton's powerful and significant work.

Also on exhibition are four photographic prints by emerging Tjala artist RHONDA UNRUPA DICK. In 2013 Rhonda was announced winner of the $20,000 Dreaming Award, National Indigenous Arts Awards and the First Annual Desart Aboriginal Arts Worker Photography Prize.

Photo credit: Steven Siewert (Courtesy: The Sydney Morning Herald)

Alcaston Gallery congratulates APY Lands artist MILYIKA ALISON CARROLL on winning second prize at the 2014 Indigenous Ceramic Art Award at Shepparton Art Museum.

The announcement was made on Saturday 24th May by Andrew Fairley on behalf of the Sir Andrew and Lady Fairley Foundation, a major partner of the award, with first prize being awarded to the Bankstown Koorie Elders Group. The exhibition was opened by Judith Ryan, Senior Curator, Indigenous Arts at the National Gallery of Victoria.

Kirsten Paisley, Director at Shepparton Art Museum made the following statement about Milyika’s beautiful ceramic artwork, Ngayuku Walka (My Mark) that was acquired by the museum:

‘From Ernabella in remote South Australia, Milyika Carroll’s large pot is absolutely divine, the back glaze sparkles at all its edges where she has carved into the surface joyous designs which she refers to in the title as simply Ngayuku Walka, meaning `my mark’. We were moved by the hand working of this traditional, coil-built pot, a strong and voluminous female form which is proudly inscribed with the artists own marks.’

Ernabella artists and finalists Shauna Colin and Anne Thompson had their artworks acquired by Shepparton Art Museum. Milyika’s husband, Pepai Carroll was also a finalist with his magnificent large-scale ceramic pot having been selected for this coveted national award. Alcaston Gallery will be exhibiting new artwork by Pepai Carroll, along with fellow Ernabella artists Derek Thompson and Rupert Jack from 22 July – 8 August 2014.

Alcaston Gallery wishes to congratulate all winners and finalists in the SAM 2014 Indigenous Ceramic Art Award, which will be on show until 10th August 2014. For more information please visit SAM website. 

Photo credit: Beverly Knight

Today Alcaston Gallery held a staff fundraiser as part of Australia's Biggest Morning Tea with special guests from Jilamara Arts & Craft Association, artists Pedro Wonaeamirri & Patrick Freddy Puruntatamerri & Art Centre Manager Geoff Crispin. The Morning Tea event was held in the gallery amongst stunning artworks from the exhibition by Pedro Wonaeamirri & Patrick Freddy Puruntatamerri. All proceeds from the fundraiser go towards Cancer research and patient support. For further information please visit the webpage:

http://www.biggestmorningtea.com.au/

(From L to R Front Row) Curator Tim Alves, Gallery Assistant Jack England, Director Beverly Knight, Artist Pedro Wonaeamirri, Curator Leah Crossman, Gallery Manager Adriana Del Medico, Administrator Ana Itsines, Assistant Curator Jessica Webster & Artist Patrick Freddy Puruntatamerri

(From L to R Back Row): Jilamara Arts & Craft Association Art Centre Manager Geoff Crispin & Friend of the Gallery Dr Hugh Bartram

Installation images from Pedro Wonaeamirri & Patrick Freddy Puruntatamerri's exhibition Nini Parlanari: Amintiya Ningani - Old Ways: New Perspectives, 20 May - 20 June 2014, Alcaston Gallery, Melbourne.