We have worked with Warnayaka Arts in Lajamanu, Northern Territory to bring together this diverse and beautiful collection of art. The majority of the income from sales go to the artists who live and create their art in Lajamanu.
Watch a video of life at Warnayaka Arts on ICTV Play
Sydney: Winya, Level 10, 387 George Street 7 February – 14 March 2019
By appointment: Bibi Barba 0455 293 641
Canberra: Winya, Level 1, 15-17 East Row 28 March – 24 April 2019
Openings every Wednesday and Friday from 5-7pm and by appointment: Jacquie Reid 0484 663 375
Melbourne: Winya, 15 Queen Street 21 May – 18 June 2019
By appointment: Jen Cayabyab 0432 240 635
Director of Niniji and exhibition curator, Bibi Barba says “This exhibition offers you a window into the lives of people in Lajamanu, their stories and the important features of their country, the animals, birds and plants that are woven into Jukurrpa (dreaming stories).”
About the collection
The community of Lajamanu is 580kms south west of Katherine, Northern Territory in the Tanami desert. The community is very remote with a population of around 900 Warlpiri people. The older generation still remember the first time they met white Australians.
The most important thing expressed by the artists across the generations is the need to preserve and pass on the knowledge of Warlpiri culture. This encompasses not only art, but includes language, social structure, law and country. In doing so it is understood that excellence in art, prosperity from art sales, employment opportunities and preservation of pride in being Warlpiri will result. Each painting is embedded with this culture knowledge often depicting the dreaming stories that when painted, strengthens their connection to land and family.
The art centre is a place for a cup of tea and a song and dance, and then a trip into the Spinifex desert to look for goanna and lizards or to collect bush coconut, bush banana, yams and bush honey from native bees.