Central Australian Art Centre celebrates 20 years of success
3 September 2009
Three generations of Eastern Arrernte families will today celebrate the 20th anniversary of Keringke Art Centre and the growth of one of the most distinctive art styles in central Australian Aboriginal art today.
Located 80km from Alice Springs in the Eastern Arrernte community of Ltyentye Apurte (Santa Teresa), Keringke Art Centre artists, together with their community, will reflect on the successes they have had.
In 1987 the women of Keringke took what was meant to be just a nine week fabric-painting course, but it catapulted them into their first exhibition at the Australian Bicentennial Craft Show in 1988 – the first Aboriginal group to do so. The purpose-built Art Centre became a reality for the community in 1989, and they have not stopped making their mark since, with their artworks now sought after worldwide.
Senior community elder Kathleen Wallace, who was instrumental in setting up the Centre 20 years ago, said “How the art centre is now, is how we always wanted it to be.”
“I think many Arrernte at Ltyentye Apurte are proud of this place, even if they don’t make art here – they are proud Keringke has been going for 20 years and that it is still in the hands of some of the first artists to work here, along with the next generation.”
“Our children are the ones who now do the jobs we used to do – but they have more skills than we had, with computers, writing, talking to all sorts of people, selling – they do all of this and they still make art as well!”
“It is wonderful to watch this place grow and go through its bursts of energy. Seeing the generational changeover is exciting and I am absolutely in awe of the way younger Arrernte are managing the systems surrounding them and controlling their decisions and lives; with such strength and generosity. Over and over again I can see their sense of identity and pride.”
Exhibitions of Keringke art have been held nationwide and abroad, from Sydney, Victoria, Cairns, the ACT and in Auckland, New Zealand. Sales today are made across the globe - from Paris, Italy, Germany, Japan, UK, USA to Moscow and even the South Pole.
There has been over an estimated $2 million worth of sales in the past decade, contributing to the livelihoods of two thirds of all Santa Teresa households. Approximately 200 Eastern Arrernte artists have been involved in the Centre since its inception.
Keringke’s art products are as rich and varied as the spectacular Eastern Arrernte landscape the artists live in. Their drawing, painting and craft skills bring alive ceramics, canvases, furniture and other objects.
The Art Centre is especially known for its vigorous use of colour in painting designs for a range of modern world objects, including ceramic bowls, vases, chairs, tables, carved artefacts and more recently life size mannequins and musical instruments.
To coincide with the 20 year anniversary, the book Listen Deeply, let these stories in by renowned Eastern Arrernte painter Kathleen Kemarre Wallace, written with Judy Lovell, and published by Alice Springs-based Indigenous publishers IAD Press will be launched by singer and songwriter Paul Kelly.
This beautifully illustrated biographical book + CD presents Kathleen’s stories that illuminate the intricate relationships between her country, law, culture, ancestors, art and family.
Ends.
For media information contact Laurelle Halford,Creative Territory on ph: 08 8953 7919 or 0417 222 211 or Jeannette Button, Creative Territory on ph: 08 8941 9169 or 0407 727 080. web: www.keringkearts.com.au
