Kimberley art shown at Patonga

Meg Norling will present 37 paintings by indigenous artists of the East Kimberley in an exhibition entitled "Desert to the sea" at the Patonga Bakehouse Gallery between January 17 and 26.

Meg is the director of the Yarilyil Arts Centre at Halls Creek, WA.

Each of the colourful works will be accompanied by a story sheet, explaining the painting in the artist's own words.

There are also biographical notes and photographs of the artists, who include Stan Brumby, Tiny McCale, Jack Lennigan, Bruce Wungunien, Lorna Thomas, Kathy Ryder, Flora Ahchoo and Willy Billabong.

These artists paint their canvasses while squatting in the shade of a gum tree.

Gallery owner Mr Robin Norling said that for many of the artists English was not their first language.

"Three distinct language groups meet in the East Kimberley and they are as different as Spanish is from Russian," he said.

"However in their pictorial language there is a commonality.

"Dot circles and wriggly lines are used in a map like manner to describe the landscape that is their country," Mr Norling said.

This very limited set of symbols can describe waterholes, billabongs, campsites, hills and valleys, journeys and animal tracks.

Mr Norling said: "Many jokes have been made at the expense of modern artists, about early 20th century western abstract at having been accidentally hung upside down.

"However the artists of this exhibition do not adhere to the 'right way up' rule of western art.

"So the works that will be on display may be hung every which way with a clear artistic conscience," he said.

Meg will be available to discuss the paintings and her work at the Yarilyil Arts Centre.

For further information, phone Patonga Bakehouse Gallery on 4379 1102.

Letter, January 8