![Australian Indigenous (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) artwork by RAY KEN of Tjala Artists. The title is Ngayuku Ngura - My Country. [1081-07] (Acrylic on Linen)](https://media.redotgallery.com/stockroom/gallery/n/ngayuku-ngura-my-country-345-SMALL.jpg)
RAY KEN
Ngayuku Ngura - My Country
Before Ray Ken began painting at Tjala Arts in 2003 (formerly Minymaku Arts) he had never painted in his life. He was one of the first men to begin painting at the art centre after a Men’s Painting Room was established to encourage the men to tell and paint their stories. Ken paints rockhole sites, knowledge of which is passed on from generation to generation and revered by all Anangu (people) Pitjantjatjara. He works slowly and is very meticulous but there is a unique contemporary vision to his imagery that sets Ray Ken apart from other artists.
In 1999, the community owned arts centre was established to assist the Amata people to develop artworks incorporating traditional iconography and also to develop community and cultural activities. Since its foundation Tjala Arts (formerly Minymaku) has concentrated on developing contemporary abstract imagery, using the artists’ law and culture as the innate inspiration.
Ken’s vibrant artworks have been displayed in many national art exhibitions and collected by institutions including The National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne and The University of Western Sydney, Sydney.
Ray Ken was a finalist in the 2009 and 2011 Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award and presented a major body of work in the 2013 Western Indigenous Art Award and exhibition.
Ken features in the major exhibition For Country: for Nation at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 22 September 2016 – 27 September 2017, an important exhibition that shares the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contributions to the Australian Defence Forces. He was also featured in Nganaampa Kililpil: Our Stars at the Hazelhurst Regional Gallery, New South Wales – the first exhibition of its kind, presenting a major survey of art from the APY Lands; and in Length & Breadth – New acquisitions from the Parliament House Art Collection, at Parliament House, Canberra.
In 2017 Ray Ken will feature in the prestigious National Indigenous Art Triennial at the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.
Before Ray Ken began painting at Tjala Arts in 2003 (formerly Minymaku Arts) he had never painted in his life. He was one of the first men to begin painting at the art centre after a Men’s Painting Room was established to encourage the men to tell and paint their stories. Ken paints rockhole sites, knowledge of which is passed on from generation to generation and revered by all Anangu (people) Pitjantjatjara. He works slowly and is very meticulous but there is a unique contemporary vision to his imagery that sets Ray Ken apart from other artists.
In 1999, the community owned arts centre was established to assist the Amata people to develop artworks incorporating traditional iconography and also to develop community and cultural activities. Since its foundation Tjala Arts (formerly Minymaku) has concentrated on developing contemporary abstract imagery, using the artists’ law and culture as the innate inspiration.
Ken’s vibrant artworks have been displayed in many national art exhibitions and collected by institutions including The National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne and The University of Western Sydney, Sydney.
Ray Ken was a finalist in the 2009 and 2011 Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Award and presented a major body of work in the 2013 Western Indigenous Art Award and exhibition.
Ken features in the major exhibition For Country: for Nation at the Australian War Memorial, Canberra, 22 September 2016 – 27 September 2017, an important exhibition that shares the stories of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contributions to the Australian Defence Forces. He was also featured in Nganaampa Kililpil: Our Stars at the Hazelhurst Regional Gallery, New South Wales – the first exhibition of its kind, presenting a major survey of art from the APY Lands; and in Length & Breadth – New acquisitions from the Parliament House Art Collection, at Parliament House, Canberra.
In 2017 Ray Ken will feature in the prestigious National Indigenous Art Triennial at the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra.
Stock Room Show - Summer 2012
A Collection of Contemporary Modern Aboriginal Art
