Held in conjunction with the David Wirrpanda Foundation, Painting Country is the first major Western Australian exhibition to promote the ethical trade of Indigenous art.

 

Perhaps the most widely publicised issue in the contemporary art work is the misrepresentation and unethical sourcing of Indigenous art which affects not only the individual artist and their community, but also the private collector, museum and art industry as a whole.

 

The work of living Indigenous artists accounts for close to 90 percent of all Australian art exported overseas and the importance of understanding the correct practice of sourcing and buying cannot be underestimated.

 

To raise awareness of this issue, United Galleries and the David Wirrpanda Foundation present Painting Country, an inaugural exhibition bringing together some of Australia’s leading contemporary Indigenous artists including Dorothy Napangard, Abie Loy, Ninguar Napurrula, Ngoia Pollard, Robert Murray and Matilda Charles. Part proceeds of all sales go to support and mentor Australia’s Indigenous youth.

 

All artists were asked to paint the concept of country; the land they all belong to in their own unique way. The term “country” to Indigenous Australians refers not only to the physical landscape, but also to the spirits, customs and dreaming associated with that site. These paintings connect each artist to the land, its past, present and future, and are essentially the spiritual landscapes of the central desert region.

 

Combined with the exhibition will be talks by David Wirrpanda and members of his foundation, industry seminars conducted by United Galleries, artist workshops, film screenings and VIP lunches, all of which are created to provide an avenue for collectors and the general public to learn about the best practice of starting a serious collection.

 

 

Please click here for further information or contact United Galleries on (08) 9327 5300, perth@unitedgalleries.com.au.