Exhibitions

This summer, ReDot Fine Art Gallery brings to you a stockroom collection of significant works by Indigenous artists from various art centres in Central and Western Australia. With more than 40 featured paintings, it includes works on canvas and boards, and watercolour paintings by the descendants of Albert Namatjira. You may find familiarity with some of the artists and art centre featured in this stockroom exhibition, which includes Papunya Tula Artists, Spinifex Arts, Mangkaja Arts and Many Hands Arts.

Summer Stockroom Show 2017 will run from Thursday 1 June till Saturday 26 August 2017.

Ghost Nets of the Ocean – Au Karem ira Lamar Lu - a spectacular marine-themed exhibition created by the Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists from Erub Arts on Darnley Island, Torres Strait, Australia, celebrates the island, reef, and ocean as a cultural and experiential continuum. Artists from Erub Arts have drawn powerful inspiration both from the ocean and stories of Indigenous island life, and have put the debris to use in a positive way, transforming retrieved fishing nets, or ghost nets, into spectacular artistic sculptures of previous marine life that also provoke important reflections on how we humans are affecting the world’s oceans. Over 80 colourful woven sculptures of fish, turtles, squids, jellyfish and corals hang suspended and dramatically lit throughout the Gallery, show the people’s connections to the sea, and strives to generate awareness of ocean pollution, recycling, and conservation of the marine environment.

The Ghost Net Art Project first began in 2008 as an initiative of GhostNets Australia, an organisation founded to coordinate the removal of ghost nets from remote beaches along the coastline by indigenous community land and sea rangers. Local artists appropriated the nets and incorporated them into their artistic creations, first producing bags and baskets, before using them to create larger-scale artworks with personal cultural stories – marine creatures are key symbols and totemic animals for Torres Strait islanders. The artworks on display in are being showcased in a Singaporean public arts institution for the first time, created by Lynnette Griffiths, Marion Gaemers, and 18 Erub Arts artists over the past year.

Ghost Nets of the Ocean is complemented by Tiny Turtles project, artworks resulting from a collaboration between Torres Strait schools, and local, international, and children with special needs in Singapore. Over 700 minature woven turtles will be displayed on the lawn of the Asian Civilisations Museum, as part of the museum’s Children Season 2017 programmes. Also on offer during the school holidays are a smorgasbord of craft workshops, storytelling and talks, drama and musical performances, and gallery trails.

Australian High Commissioner, Mr Bruce Gosper, added, “This arts and cultural exchange echoes Australia and Singapore’s commitment to strengthening the connection between peoples in our countries, and in a more profound way, I believe it will also allow visitors and a younger generation to better understand the world in which we live. As maritime nations, there is a shared responsibility for the oceans that falls on our communities, and I hope the remarkable art of Au Karem ira Lamar Lu inspires and sparks important conversations in this region on pollution, recycling and marine conservation.”

Ghost Nets of the Ocean will be held at the Asian Civilisations Museum from 1 June to 6 August 2017, and admission is free.

ReDot Fine Art Gallery is especially honoured to present the exhibition Walkatjunanyi Inmaku (Painting Songs). The exhibition consists of eight astonishing large-scale paintings, executed by the senior artists of Tjungu Palya Arts. Located at Nyapari community about 100 km south of Uluru (Ayres Rock) in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, in the remote north west corner of South Australia, Tjungu Palya Arts is one of the most innovative art centres in Central Australia and is solely Aboriginal owned and governed.

As ReDot Fine Art Gallery celebrates its long-standing partnership with Tjungu Palya Arts, we welcome the Singaporean audience to connect and immerse themselves in this experience of Indigenous art and culture. This concisely curated exhibition represents the pinnacle of each of the artist’s abilities, and is a high point in their careers. Each painting tells the story of the artist’s relationship with their landscape and the powerful traditional Tjukurpa (Dreamtime symbolism) embedded within its land formations.

An exhibition of this magnitude has never been seen before from Tjungu Palya Arts, with each painting being 200 x 300 cm in size. This larger format allows abundant space for sprawling and epic narratives, which depict large tracks of country and demonstrate fundamental cultural thinking. This scale also allows the artists the freedom to weave a spectacular amount of painterly detail into their work. The nuanced mark-making of each individual artist sets a unique and sophisticated tone within each artwork, and represents a strong spiritual connection, to both the act of painting and the process of narrating ones’ mythological beliefs.

The artists of Tjungu Palya Arts hold a special position in Australian art. They are simultaneously contributing to contemporary painting discourse whilst representing a strong cultural and political standpoint - that of living on their country as traditional and current owners whilst partaking in regular ceremony and teaching young people how to do the same. We invite the audience to participate in the privilege of absorbing these very distinctive Indigenous viewpoints, which represents an understanding of country in the present moment, as well as memories of pre-colonial life in one of Australia’s most remote environments.

The exhibition runs from Wednesday 5 April to Saturday 27 May 2017. Attending the opening reception, on Friday 7 April, are Tjungu Palya artists Teresa Baker and Imitjala Pollard, with the art centre managers, Benji Bradley and Liz Bird.

A must-see exhibition for those interested in following recent developments in Indigenous art. This is a wonderful opportunity to view important and collectable artwork emerging from Australia today, created by some of the most talented proponents of one of the world’s oldest art forms.

A Stockroom Collection of Desert Gems features a selection of works by Tjungu Palya Arts. Located at Nyapari community about 100 km south of Uluru (Ayres Rock) in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands, in the remote north west corner of South Australia, Tjungu Palya Arts is one of the most innovative art centres in Central Australia and is solely Aboriginal owned and governed.

In this showcase, we represent some of the most esteemed artists from the community, including Wingu Tingima, Tiger Palpatja and Eileen Yaritja Stevens, all of whom, sadly, have now passed away. Featured in this show is also a set of new prints, shown in Singapore for the first time ever.

This exhibition runs concurrently with our major Tjungu Palya exhibition, Walkatjunanyi Inmaku (Painting Songs), from Wednesday 5 April till Saturday 27 May 2017.

In the month of March, ReDot Fine Art Gallery presents a collection of significant sculptural pieces from Australia, crafted by Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists.

Featuring Greg Johns, who held his first ever solo exhibition in Singapore just last year, and various Indigenous artists including larrakitj (ceremonial poles) by Wukun Wanambi of Buku-Larrnggay Arts (Yirrkala), soft sculptures by Yarrenyty Arltere ladies from the central desert, and more.

Ushering back into the spotlight are the ceramic works by Ernabella Artists, which were created at the Thow Kwang Studios as part of the Dragon Kiln Festival in 2014.

Ghost nets sculptures by Erub Arts - Darnley Island - fish, sharks and the ever popular turtles - will also hang in the Gallery, a teaser for a major showcase in June 2017.

ReDot Fine Art Gallery is extremely honoured to be hosting the first ever exhibition of works from acclaimed Tiwi Island community, Munupi Arts & Crafts in our inaugural show of 2017. It brings together 34 exceptional recent works, meticulously curated over the last 24 months, by some of the community’s most collectable and newly emerging talents.

Kiripapuranjuwi (Skilful Hands) is the daring first step into the Asian contemporary art scene and will be a refreshing look at the usage of natural ochres combined with synthetic acrylic paints to represent motifs and designs sacred to the Tiwi Islanders, who have traditionally painted their bodies for ceremonies using natural earth pigments for centuries. This tradition of mark making is the foundation for this modern Tiwi art as ceremonies continue to play a pivotal role in Tiwi culture.

Each painting confidently transfers to the viewer a statement of Island life or ceremonial requirement using elegant traditional techniques which are married harmoniously with simplistic and fresh modern designs to give the recipient a meaningful understanding of one of the planets oldest living cultures. Subdued in their aesthetic appearance, due to the nature of the medium, each and every work is a bold rejoicing and triumphant statement about the strength of modern Indigenous culture, which for many years seemed destined to become extinct, is now stronger than ever before.

Be mesmerised by the detailed and powerful dotted oeuvres of mother-daughter doyennes Cornelia and Delores, carrying this remarkable community forward into the next stage of its development, alongside other significant works by 13 female artists of varied ages and artistic prowess – each in their own way commanding respect and attention for their commitment in transferring cultural knowledge to the outside world.

"For Tiwi people, to sing is to dance is to paint."
Judith Ryan, Curator – National Gallery of Victoria (NGV), 1997

The exhibition begins on Wednesday 8 February and runs until Saturday 4 March 2017 and will be attended in person by Maria Josette Orsto and Paulina (Jedda) Puruntatameri, in what will be their first ever trip to Singapore. A must-see show for anyone interested in following the recent developments in Indigenous Art and an opportunity to meet these beautiful and talented proponents of one of the world’s oldest art forms as they share their ancestral heritage with us through their paintings and story-telling.

ReDot Fine Art Gallery opens its 2017 exhibition schedule with an exciting collection of new works by upcoming and highly collectable Australian artist Aaron Kinnane, in what will be a “small” teaser to his first ever solo show in Singapore in October 2017. In conjunction with the art celebration surrounding Art Stage 2017 during the course of January, this showcase is combined with a regular changing hang of collectable Australian contemporary art for collectors and art aficionados alike.

Collector Spotlight – 2017 is a collection of 12 new oil paintings on canvas by Aaron and a rotating salon hang of over 30 additional works from some of Australia’s most accomplished and renowned artistic talents both Indigenous and non-Indigenous. The exhibition will herald a merging of opposing Australian art forms, opening up a dialogue about the interconnectivity of modern Australia and its more fragile Indigenous heritage via the usage of mediums ranging from acrylic and oil on canvas, wooden artefacts, bronze and steel sculptures and even reclaimed environmental materials all blending harmoniously into one collectors paradise.

In Aaron’s own words, he “engages with painting in its purest form to perpetuate his effervescent vision of the natural world. Visceral layers of paint form sublime and atmospheric landscapes that are at once sullen and savage, bleak and beautiful, heavy, desolate and wildly alive. The resulting aesthetic equilibrium spawns a purification that pushes the viewer beyond a physical and visual appreciation of the works into a metaphysical meditation.”

The salon exhibition begins on Monday 2 January and runs until Saturday 4 February 2017. It will highlight several key recent and past works, exciting new initiatives that the Gallery will be involved in throughout the year, which range from first ever exhibitions for several new artists who have become part of our widening stable of artists over the last 18 months and a museum show in the summer of 2017.

Deriving from a tiny community in the north-western corner of South Australia, Ninuku Arts is one of the most exciting art centres to emerge over the past 10 years.

This online exhibition brings a focus to two of the most senior lawmen and painters from the community – Harry Tjutjuna and Sandy Brumby. As the traditional owners of the land, these men hold a great wealth of knowledge and the most significant stories of their country deep within their hearts and are tasked with its survival and passage into the next generation.

It is critical to the continuation of this great Indigenous culture that it is taught to the future generations.

As senior man and Ngangkari (traditional healer) Harry Tjutjuna describes, "Old generation are here now and I am old generation too. Lots of old generation have passed away. What can we do? What happens when I pass away? New generation got to learn Tjukurpa (Dreaming Stories)."

Amongst the two men, Harry Tjutjuna is the more senior artist, and is dubbed as the Spider Man as spider is the ancestral being he most strongly identifies with. Harry’s unique style and approach has made him one of the most sought-after practicing artists in the country. He paints a range of stories with both authority and courage. He is known for the drippy, painterly qualities in his technique, and is a natural colourist often choosing a palette of vibrant, poppy hues.

Sandy Brumby, on the other hand, born in the bush at Victory Downs, was a stockman for many years, long before Kalka and the Pipalyatjara communities existed. In 2010, in his sixties, Sandy Brumby picked up a paint brush for the first time and since has religiously painted, discovering a passion for paint and need to tell his story. The marks he uses are reminiscent of symbols seen in rock paintings around Uluru and Kata Tjuta. His paintings are raw and bold, and demonstrate a strong connection to his country and culture. He has a deep love of colours and uses a broad palette when he paints, selecting the colours that sit side by side with natural intuition.

ReDot Fine Art Gallery is extremely honoured to host a tightly-curated show of desert gems from one of the youngest, most vibrant and recently established art centres, Papunya Tjupi Arts.

Papunya Tjupi Arts is an Indigenous-owned and directed Art Centre based in Papunya, the birthplace of the Western Desert art movement, 240km north-east of Alice Springs, in the Northern Territory. Originally, it was home to the local Luritja, Pintupi and Anmatyerre tribes. However, during the 1980’s, artistic focus shifted elsewhere as the homeland movement saw the Pintupi tribes move further west with the creation of Kintore and Kiwirrkurra townships.

Papunya Tjupi Arts relaunched in 2007, and despite economically challenging times since then, the art centre project has been a resounding success, injecting much needed community focus and revenue to one of the poorest parts of Northern Australia.

This show features a dynamic collection of works from predominantly female Indigenous artists. Their work is based upon strong local heritage, which invigorates and re-energises viewers. It is effervescent, bursting with vital dramatic energy, and pure. Due to the isolation of this community and the fact that English is at best the 3rd or 4th language for many of these artists, significant cultural integrity is retained in their art.

Papunya is still home to renowned senior artists and remains a strong base for traditional culture with a regular men’s ceremony held in January and women’s ceremony held in the middle of the year. The art centre is named after the main Tjukurrpa or Dreaming of the Tjupi or Honey Ant with three local hills, collectively known as Warumpi Hill, in the shape of a honey ant.

Nampatjunanyi (Paint and Draw), consisting of more than 15 works, focuses on the surging talents of a core group of women who have created the backbone of new art centre. Recent jewels by Candy Nelson Nakamarra enthral us with their complexity and mesmerising iconography, whilst Martha McDonald Napaltjarri’s work hints at the strong historical ties to the men’s work that emanated from the Papunya Tula movement of the early 1970’s. Interspersed between these two dynamic women are many other surprises as this strong group of ladies’ rebuke and refuse economic challenges and deliver stunning, affordable and highly sought after work for the discerning public and collector to appreciate.

The exhibition begins on Wednesday 16 November and runs until Saturday 31 December 2016, with an official opening night on Thursday 1 December 2016. A must-see show for anyone interested in following the recent developments in Indigenous Art and for those wondering what to buy that loved one for Christmas, a fantastic opportunity to acquire some of the most beautiful desert art being produced today in Australia.