feature story may/june 2019

Ritual intimacy

A major survey of the work of Bidjara artist Christian Thompson at John Curtin Gallery catapults the traditional performative aspect of Aboriginal culture seamlessly into the contemporary.

artist’s chronicle film at desert river sea

In a collaboration between Pilbara and Kimberley Aboriginal Media, Audio Chemistry in Melbourne and the Art Gallery of WA, the Artist’s Chronicle has produced a trailer and short film for the exhibition featuring participating artists, stunning drone shots of the Kimberley landscape, and music by Kimberley favourites, the Pigram Brothers.

in the MAY/JUNE 2019 edition

In this edition we feature Christian Thompson: Ritual Intimacy at John Curtin Gallery, a much-anticipated survey of the London and Melbourne-based contemporary Aboriginal artist. Known for the range of personas he inhabits in self-portraiture, Thompson’s work is deeply connected to his Bidjara culture, exploring notions of identity, cultural hybridity and history.

Thompson seamlessly catapults the performative aspect of Aboriginal culture into the contemporary through photography, video, sculpture, performance and sound. A major commission has been created for the exhibition, which is accompanied by the first monograph of the artist’s work.

We visited the exhibition ibelongyoubelongwebelong featuring works by south west Aboriginal artist Tjyllungoo Lance Chadd at the Art Gallery of WA as part of its WA Now series, coinciding with the final weeks of its groundbreaking show Desert River Sea: Portraits of the Kimberley.

We explore a new series of exhibitions and films at St John of God Murdoch Hospital, beginning with eminent photographer and State Living Treasure Richard Woldendorp AM. The show, Abstract Earth and New Acquisitions, is accompanied by a 15-minute film produced by the Artist’s Chronicle. The film proves age is no barrier to creativity as the 92-year old aerial photographer took to the air in a light plane with long-term pilot and friend Jan Ende. The busy Linking Gallery at the hospital has foot traffic other gallery spaces could only dream of, and links art with staff, visitors and patients.

Lastly we visited Pemberton for its annual Art Prize, delving into the fascinating history of art in the area. Considering its tiny population of just 720, the picturesque town in an interesting hive of artistic endeavor.

Lyn Di Ciero

Editor

ARTIST’S CHRONICLE 30th ANNIVERSARY EDITION MARCH 2021

CONTACT US FOR FURTHER INFORMATION