Aboriginal artists visit Killcare

Two Aboriginal artists from the Central Desert visited the Bouddi Gallery in Killcare on Friday, January 14, to demonstrate painting styles and chat with over 200 visitors.

Rene Kulitja who designed artwork for the Olympics Qantas plane and Janet Inyika are both painters from Maruku Arts at Uluru.

The women were in Sydney for the opening of the Mantanguru Urukutu (From the Desert to the Sea) exhibition at Bondi pavilion until January 30, when they decided to visit Killcare.

Aboriginal leader Mr Gabi Duncan welcomed the women to Darkinjung country on behalf of the local Land Council.

"The day was a huge success in raising awareness of Indigenous desert culture," said Bouddi Gallery director Ms Jody Deamer

"People travelled from Newcastle and Sydney to the gallery to meet the desert painters.

"Those in attendance expressed gratefulness for the experience and a renewed motivation to learn more and travel further into Aboriginal Australia," she said.

In the late afternoon, 50 local invitees attended a picnic hosted by Helena Hanson from the Killcare Kiosk, and children from Pretty Beach Primary School guided the women onto the beach and rocks at Killcare.

Maruku Arts manager Mr Clive Scollay played guitar and taught bush songs.

The women also taught the children a number of traditional dances and invited them to travel to Uluru later in the year as a school excursion.

"The children were overcome by the invitation and have already started planning the trip," said Ms Deamer.

"Rene and Janet said they felt very welcomed by the local community and would like to return later in the year for an exhibition."

Email, 9 Jan 2011 Jody Deamer, Bouddi Gallery