The Women’s Show — Catalogue Essay

The Women’s Show began in 2005 to reflect the blazing trajectory of Australian First Nation’s women as artists of renown and to honour their contribution to world art and culture.

Ironically, we opened the first exhibition in 2005 with a special guest, Susan Halliday, Federal Commissioner for Sex Discrimination.

Then, Susan Halliday advocated the necessity for Australian women to be, at the least, represented across our society as equally as we are so often quantified as half the population of this nation.

Concurrent to the celebration of the 15th exhibition of The Women’s show we are still facing issues of inequality on a scale that frankly infuriates.

Through an historical lens we can look back and review an artist’s life and their work with insight and compassion by acknowledging their difficulties in maintaining an artistic path, it can even colour the way we perceive them as champions against the odds or creative genius.

As I consider the artists and their work on exhibition this year, I must consider what ordeals and trauma they have endured, because of their sex and First Nation’s identity and yet, the crux is that we embrace these women artists as our nation’s hugest talent. Their deep honesty and driving commitment to making beautiful art speaks their truth. A truth that as a nation we are yet to embrace.

Australian First Nations art endures as a powerful force for that change.

Vivien Anderson
Director

Mrs T James |
Kungka Kutjara — Tjukapati
2020
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
147 x 147 cm
Provenance: Tjarlirli Arts, WA cat. 20-968KA
$5,200
Elizabeth Marks Nakamarra |
Dry Soakage
2006
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
121.0 x 182.0 cm
Provenance: Native Art of Australia Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne
Private collection, London (currently held in Melbourne)
Michelle Woody Minnapinni |
Ngiya Murrakupupuni
2020
ochre on paper
76 x 56 cm, (framed)
Provenance: Jilamara Arts, Tiwi Islands NT cat. 371-20
Mary Gibson |
Kurlkurta Tjukurpa
2020
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
178 x 148 cm
Provenance: Tjarlirli Art, WA cat. 20-549
Jennifer Kemarre Martiniello |
Tall Bush Flowers Basket: Grevillea
2020
hot blown glass
38.5 x 12.5 x 12.5 cm
Kaye Brown |
Yirrinkiripwoja
2021
earth pigment on bark
145 x 21 cm
Provenance: Jilamara Arts, Tiwi Islands NT cat. 34-21
Djurrayun Murrinyina |
Wukili (left, 2020) & Djarrwark (right, 2021)
earth pigment on bark (left) / earth pigment on hollow log (right)
125 x 82 cm (left), 221 cm (right)
Left Provenance: Buku Larrnggay Mulka Centre, NT cat. 2287-20. Right Provenance: Buku Larrnggay Mulka Centre, NT cat. 704-21
Naomi Hobson |
Salt Lake
2020
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
130 x 160 cm
Exhibited: Moreton Bay Art Prize 2020
Teresa Baker |
Minmya Malilunya
2021
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
150 x 120 cm
Provenance: Tjungu Palya, SA
Indra Prudence |
Mun-dirra (Fish Fence)
2021
pandanus and natural dyes
118 x 274 cm
Provenance: Maningrida Arts & Culture, NT cat. 100-21
Spinifex Women’s Collaborative |
Seven Sisters
2021
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
230 x 200 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat. 21-21
Jennifer Kemarre Martiniello |
Spill Basket #2
2020
hot blown glass
27 x 12 x 12 cm
Myrtle Pennington |
Kanpala
2021
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
137 x 110 cm
Provenance: Spinifex Arts Project, WA cat. 20-226
Pauline Sunfly |
Mangkayi
2020
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
121 x 61 cm
Provenance: Warlayirti Artists, Balgo WA cat. 605-20
Sally Gabori |
Dibirdibi Country
2011
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
121 x 121 cm
Provenance: Mornington Island Art Centre, QLD. Private Collection, Melbourne
Emily Kame Kngwarreye |
Untitled (Awelye)
1996
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
5 panels, each 121.0 x 91.0 cm
Provenance: DACOU, Adelaide SA. Private Collection United Kingdom (Currently held in Melbourne)
Maringka Baker |
Minyma Kutjara Tjukurrpa
2020
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
152 x 122 cm
Provenance: Tjungu Palya, SA cat. 21-002
Vicki West |
Vessels 5, 6, 7 (Left to Right)
2021
bull kelp, twine
24 x 12 x 5 cm; 19 x 12 x 8 cm; 21 x 13 x 9 cm
Rosella Namok |
Yipay and Kungkay
2002
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
173.0 x 340.0 cm
Provenance: Lockhart River Art Centre, QLD. Private collection, UK (Currently held in Melbourne)
Samantha Hobson |
Waves at Night
2005
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
180 x 336 cm
Provenance: Lockhart River Art Centre, QLD Private Collection United Kingdom (Currently held in Melbourne). Exhibited: Power and Beauty, Heide Museum of Modern Art, 2007. Sister painting in the collection of the National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Regina Pilawuk Wilson |
Syaw – Fishnet
2009
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
200 x 200 cm
Provenance: Durrmu Arts, NT cat. 501-09
Lorraine Connelly-Northey |
Possum Skin Cloak-Waradgerie Weaver’s
2021
rusted steel
212.0 x 268.0 x 12.0 cm irregular
This is the artist’s preferred spelling of Wirradjuri. The artist has used the spelling as taught by and recognised by her grandfather.
Vivien Anderson Gallery – Tjukuparti James – Kungka Kutjara – Tjukapati – 2020
Regina Pilawuk Wilson |
Syaw – Fishnet
2012
synthetic polymer paint on canvas
200 x 120 cm
Provenance: Durrmu Arts, NT cat. 662-12
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