Australian Contemporary Indigenous Art III

June 27 – August 3

Opening Reception: Friday, June 27, 5-7pm

Santa Fe, NM – Chiaroscuro Contemporary Art in association with Vivien Anderson Gallery, Melbourne, Australia, is pleased to present its third biennial exhibition of contemporary Indigenous art from Australia. This series of exhibitions has been instrumental in introducing and developing an understanding and appreciation for contemporary Australian Indigenous art in the United States. The show will consist of just over forty pieces and an illustrated catalog is available.

Since 2010, each Chiaroscuro exhibition has presented a group show featuring some of the most recognized and accomplished Aboriginal artists working today. While none of the exhibitions are intended to represent the artistic production of an entire continent, you can’t help but notice the diversity and breadth of creativity coming out of the few regions we are representing. All of the pieces are museum quality and are sourced directly from the regional Art Centers, which are state-run hubs of artistic and social activity. The representatives at the Art Centers work tirelessly to bring these Aboriginal artists to the international market. A contingent of artists and their ArtCenter representatives will be traveling to Santa Fe for this exhibition opening.

This year’s exhibition is divided into four sections. The first features incredibly colorful acrylic paintings on canvas by Judy Watson Napangardi, and the second, exquisite bark paintings by Rerrkirrwanga Mununggur. Although from vastly different regions and backgrounds, these two artists are presented as solo shows within the larger exhibition in light of their creative accomplishments and importance in their fields.

The exhibition is rounded out by a powerful selection of paintings from the Tjungu Palya and the Spinifex mobs of Southern Australia. Among the group of ten Tjungu Palya artists are recent works by Maringka Baker, Ginger Wikilyiri, and Keith Stevens. Representing the Spinifex mob are eight artists featuring Roy Underwood, Ian Rictor and Tjaruwa Woods amongst others.

All of the artworks are visually abstract, yet incorporate different ancient narratives passed down through language and art. These narratives are often stories of the ancestral lands and the peoples that inhabited them. Among the most prevalent is the story of the Seven Sisters, which embodies sacred information being passed down to younger women, ensuring they understand how to conduct themselves and maintain the gene pool through kinship specifications.

Dozens of high qualities images are available to the press and interviews of the artists, ArtCenter representatives, or collaborating curator will be available starting June 20^th when they arrive in Santa Fe.

Australian Contemporary Indigenous Art III

June 27 – August 3

Opening Reception: Friday, June 27, 5-7pm

Location: 702 ½ Canyon Road on Gypsy Alley, Santa Fe, NM 87501, 505-992-0711

High resolution photographs available upon request; call Heather Doyle Haxby at 505-992-0711 or email gallery@chiaroscurosantafe.com