Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery

Last week I went to visit the newly re-opened Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery at the South Australian Museum. New to the exhibit was the famous Yuendumu Doors. Whilst making my way through the exhibit several objects were of particular interest to me.

Door #17 – Ngatijirrikirli (Budgerigar) by Paddy Japaljarri Stewart

The Yuendumu School Doors
In 1993 senior Warlipiri men grasped an historic opportunity to paint their sacred dreaming designs on the doors of the YuendumuSchool, 250km north west of Alice Springs. It was a key moment in the history of Australian art, and symbolised the Warlipi's decision to explain the Tjukurrpa (Dreamin) to the world beyond their desert home. The 30 doors are unique documents of history and culture. They reveal ancient stories and beliefs but also scars and graffiti of exposure to the elements and the school yard.

The Door Etchings
The Door Etchings co-existed alongside the Yuendumu Doors. In the year 2000, the remaining Warlipiri elders produced a series of etchings based on the original school doors.

Hunting/Gathering Exhibit
Hunting and gathering was the main method of sourcing food and drink for the Aboriginal Australias, with gathering being the role of women. In the exhibit was a watercolour painting produced by GF Angus in 1844. The painting depicts a women and child with bulbrush roots and manungkeri, an important source of food in much of south eastern Australia. The painting speaks more to me of the anthropological findings at the time rather than traditional indigenous art form, however I just loved the simplicity of the painting.

Albert Namatjira
I've mentioned in a previous post how much I like the work of Albert Nmatjira, so it was thrilling to see one in the flesh. The Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery  is home to a Namatjira watercolour. The painting produced in 1941 shows Namatjira's own sacred lanscape of the James Ranges, part of the Western MacDonnells. The painting was one of the first to be bought by a major museum.

Below is a link to a behind the scenes video of the Australian Aboriginal Cultures Gallery at the SA Museum. It is very interesting and offers some background information on the Yuendumu School Doors.
http://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/whatson/whattosee/permanent/aacg

SOURCES:
Yuendumu Door: http://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/whatson/whattosee/permanent/aacg