Previously unseen artwork of one of Australia’s most respected Aboriginal artists, Jimmy Pike, will be on display at the Western Australian Museum – Albany from July 24.
Jimmy Pike’s Artlines: You call it desert, we used to live there is a selection of vibrant felt-tip pen drawings depicting the spirit beings, flowers, stars and earthscapes of the Great Sandy Desert of Western Australia.
WA Museum – Albany regional manager Rachael Wilsher-Saa said the collection of Artline drawings are unique for Pike, who is best known for his acrylic canvas paintings and internationally-recognized textile designs under the Desert Designs label.
"The works were created between 1990 and 2000 at Pike’s isolated camp and his last home in Broome, and draw on the knowledge and skills he learnt as a boy growing up in the hunting-gathering tradition of his family in the desert,” Ms Wilsher-Saa said.
Renowned for his lively sense of humour and great story-telling, Pike’s art depicts the dynamism of life in the desert: waterholes, the landscape, animals and plants, as well as Ngarrangkarni or Dreamtime stories, people, and modern technology.
“As a collection, they give us a rare glimpse of the visual character of the changing seasons and magic of desert life through the energy and flourishing creativity of one of Australia’s important Aboriginal artists. We’re extremely thrilled and honoured to have it here in Albany,” Ms Wilsher-Saa said.
Mr Pike’s grandson, Terry Murray, who assisted in the development of the exhibition, will be the guest of honour at the official exhibition launch at the Western Australian Museum – Albany on July 23 before it opens to the public on Wednesday, July 24. Terry, a Heritage Officer for the Kimberley Aboriginal Law and Cultural Centre, will also speak to school groups during his visit to the Great Southern.
The exhibition will be on display until August 18, 2013.
Jimmy Pike Artlines: You call it desert, we used to live there is proudly presented by The Berndt Museum of Anthropology at The University of Western Australia. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body. The national tour of this exhibition is managed by ART ON THE MOVE.
Media contact:
Niki Comparti
Western Australian Museum
6552 7805, niki.comparti@museum.wa.gov.au
