ReDot Fine Art Gallery is extremely honoured to be hosting its second double-header exhibition of a strong 2016 exhibition calendar. We are proud to present the first ever solo show for Lawrence Pennington, a senior lawman born circa 1934 and a series of 8 collaborative works by the latest sensation that is sweeping the modern Indigenous art movement, the Spinifex Arts Project.

Tjungutja – Art of the Spinifex Collaborative and Wati Wara – Lawrence Pennington Solo are the culmination of over two years’ worth of curating and significant cultural discussion, to ensure that these two firsts for the small community in the southern part of the Great Victoria Desert, receive maximum attention and kudos.

Never before have 8 major collaborative works from the Spinifex Arts Project been gathered in one commercial gallery setting, until today. And indeed, the works that will be on display in Singapore have already - even before their commercial debut - been exhibited in a major museum offering, in the much praised and critically-acclaimed Tarnanthi exhibition in late 2015 at the Art Gallery of South Australia (AGSA), curated by Nici Cumpston.

Equally important are the 29 individual jewels amassed for this opening of Mr. Pennington’s first solo show, celebrating the life of one of the most revered Indigenous men in Australia today. Born just outside of the north-eastern boundary of Spinifex at a place called Urlu, Lawrence came in as a young Wati (initiated man). He married late in Cundeelee and has only one son. Lawrence painted in the early years, collaboratively and individually before leaving Tjuntjuntjara for about 7 years. Perhaps it was because he had aged somewhat or because he was back on country amongst his fellow senior lawmen and therefore in a more contemplative space. Whatever the reason that led Lawrence to recently begin painting again with vigour, it has produced a portfolio of fascinating, eclectic works which are distinctly his. His paintings have unearthed a treasure trove of culture and simplistic beauty using minimal colour palates and a honed sense of positive-negative space, drawing the viewer into a world which has long since been forgotten and the prerogative of a time passed.

The exhibitions begin on Wednesday 27th April and runs until Saturday 28th May 2016. The opening night will be attended in person by Winmati Roberts, Lawrence Pennington’s nephew, and Fred Grant, on behalf of the Spinifex Arts Project. Art Centre coordinators Amanda Dent and Brian Hallett will also be in attendance, in what will be their second trip to Singapore following on from their acclaimed international debut in 2014. A must-see show for anyone interested in following the recent developments in Indigenous Art and an opportunity to meet a beautiful and talented proponent of one of the world’s oldest art forms.