News

Alcaston Gallery is thrilled to commence our 2018 exhibition program with an exhibition of new paintings by Betty Kuntiwa Pumani, alongside the work of her older sister Ngupulya Pumani, and their fellow senior artist Tuppy Goodwin, showcasing their cultural knowledge and creative vision. Betty Kuntiwa Pumani and Ngupulya Pumani are traditional custodians of Antara, a significant place for Yankunytjatjara and Pitjantjatjara people. Antara is central to Tjukurpa songlines, and is the location of a rockhole where women perform a dance ceremony for the Maku (witchetty grub). Thinking of this place, its ceremony, and what they have learned from family, profoundly informs the life and art of these exceptional women.

Alcaston Gallery was pleased to host Ngupulya and Tuppy for the opening celebrations on Wednesday the 14th of Febuary. The exhibition will run untill March 3. 

To view available works, please see your website. 

Congratulations to Alec Baker who has been named as a finalist in the 45th Muswellbrook Art Prize for his work Ngura (Country). 

Alec Baker was the first senior desert man to begin painting at Iwantja Arts in far north South Australia in the early 2000s. Passing down the traditions of his people is integral to Alec Baker’s artistic practice; however the artist is wary of revealing sacred knowledge and does not paint Tjukurpas (dreamings). Instead, the artist paints the patterns of his country that come from his mind and memory, developing his own unique visual language, taking his art from not only storytelling – but into the realm of a truly creative and innovative contemporary Indigenous art practice.  

For more information on the artist, or to view available works, please visit our website. 

The Muswellbrook Art Prize is an acquisitive art competition held annually.  Finalists of the 45th Muswellbrook Art Prize will compete for a total prize pool of $71,000, with 26 works selected for the $50,000 Painting Prize, 19 works for the $10,000 Works on Paper Prize and 12 works for the $10,000 Ceramics Prize. Winners of the Art Prize will be announced at the opening night at 6pm Saturday 10th March 2018 by adjudicator Tracy Cooper-Lavery. A $1,000 People’s Choice Prize can also be voted for during the course of the exhibition. Congratulations to all 57 finalists!

For more information on the prize, or to see the full list of finalists, please see the Muswellbrook Regional Art Centre's website.

Image | Portrait of Alec Baker by Rhett Hammerton

Alcaston Gallery in now open for 2018 and we are thrilled to present a powerful exhibition of new paintings by Betty Pumani, Ngupulya Pumani and Tuppy Goodwin.

The official opening celebration will take place on Wednesday the 14th February from 5.30 to 7.30pm and the artists will be present. 

To view available works from this exhibition please visit our website. 

Alcaston Gallery is now open Wednesday - Saturday 11am to 5pm and by appointment.

Image | Tuppy Goodwin, Antara, 2017, synthetic polymer paint on linen, 123 x 153 cm

Alcaston Gallery artist Shirley Macnamara was featured in Design Files article, Shirley Macnamara, Weaver and Cattle Drover, earlier this month.

"Today we meet an awe-inspiring artist, based in remote western Queensland, where she runs her own thriving cattle property!

Shirley Macnamara developed her artistic practice in response to a personal loss in the 1990s, and her woven multi-media pieces have since come to also incorporate pressing environmental, political and cultural concerns.

Lauded for her prize-winning work at the prestigious 34th NATSIA Awards , Shirley’s pieces are currently on exhibit as part of the Tarnanthi: Festival of Contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art at the Art Gallery of South Australia". 

To read the full article on the Design Files, please visit their website.

For more information on the artist or to view available works, please see our website.

Images| Shirley Macnamara, Ungubutha Guutu (Porcupine Vessel) 2016 (detail), spinifex, porcupine quills and fixative 33 x 30 x 26cm. Photo – courtesy of the artist and Alcaston Gallery; Portrait of Shirley Macnamara. Photo – courtesy of Virginal Hills; Portrait of Shirley Macnamara, 2017. Photo – courtesy of Virginal Hills; Shirley Macnamara, Scullcap 2013, emu feathers, natural ochre, resin, synthetic polymer fixative, 15 x 22 x 22cm. Photo – courtesy of the artist and Alcaston Gallery.